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Does West Ham’s now-fit Winston Reid ace even make the bench against Wolves?

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Winston Reid of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at Olympic Stadium on October 22, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Winston Reid of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sunderland at Olympic Stadium on October 22, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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West Ham’s long-tenured injury-ridden players have scarred supporters and marked seasons as missed opportunities. With one of the longest servants now fit, doe Winston Reid even make the bench against Wolves?

It was confirmed by Football.London reporter Sam Inkersole that not only is Jack Wilshere again fit and available for team selection but that after his last match and 90 minutes with the U23’s former West Ham ace Winston Reid is fully fit and ready for the first team.

The question now becomes, does Manuel Pellegrini risk his team’s stability to play or even give a bench spot to the former vice-captain of the team? It would be a massive risk and perhaps one match too late as Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena both looked tremendous against Chelsea, while Issa Diop is the most talented defender the Hammers have.

Action has been limited for Reid this season in his attempt to rehab. Most recently, he played for the U23s in the Premier League International Cup where they snatched up a 3-1 win over Brighton in a 90-minute appearance. He also played in the PL2 win over Aston Villa for 73 minutes and put in a 45-minute shift for New Zealand in their friendly loss to Ireland.

The benefit of having Reid in the team is arguably more about mentality than it is about performance. Reid is a born leader and, as mentioned, a long servant for the club. He scored the last ever goal at the Boleyn and has been stout in defense when he’s been fit. They say injury should never see a player lose his spot, but what about a two-year lay off?

As of right now, Reid isn’t better than Ogbonna, who is admidst a career renaissance, Balbuena, who played really well at Chelsea, or Diop who is the next great Premier League defender. He also isn’t an up-and-comer like Goncalo Cardoso is. With Pablo Zabaleta taking up the ‘not playing but on the bench to be a leader’ role.

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Realistically, West Ham have no senior team place for Reid as it stands right now. That being said, defensive depth is never a bad thing to have and the club have stood by Reid throughout his injury so he is unlikely to want to leave at this time. Let him raise the training ground standard and push the regulars for starting minutes, there is a Cup match in the future with his name written on it as captain.