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Angelo Ogbonna needs to continue to be West Ham United’s Rock

By Jay Korman

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on December 09, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at London Stadium on December 09, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Throughout this very up and down season for the Hammers thus far, most players in the West Ham squad have been pretty inconsistent this season.

In a tough season thus far for West Ham, there has not been a ton to get excited about. However, one Hammer has been fantastic all season and deserves to be the front-runner for Hammer of the Year.

West Ham has struggled to put together consistent performances, which often leads to players coming in and out of the starting XI on a week to week basis. There has been, however, one mainstay in the Hammers XI this season, and surprisingly, it’s none other than Angelo Ogbonna.

Hammers fans have always thought Ogbonna has been a capable defender, but not a great one. Boy, oh boy, has he changed that narrative this season. Ogbonna has been an absolute rock at the back this season for the Hammers.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United celebrates victory with Angelo Ogbonna after the Premier League match between the Hammers and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on January 01, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United celebrates victory with Angelo Ogbonna after the Premier League match between the Hammers and AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium on January 01, 2020, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Angelo has managed to rack up 6 clean sheets in the Premier League thus far and has looked an excellent defender this season. The season that Ogbonna is having thus far is very surprising to this Irons fan.

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I always viewed Ogbonna as a depth Center-back to provide backup in case Diop or Balbuena was to receive a knock, however, he has shown that he can be way more than just a backup. If not for Ogbonna’s heroic defensive displays this season, who knows how much lower down the table the Hammers would be.

In particular, his gusty performance at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea really proved to me Ogbonna has taken his game to the next level. With huge names such as Sebastien Haller, Manuel Lanzini, and Felipe Anderson in the Hammers squad, I don’t think that anyone would have predicted the Italian defender to be the most important player of the season.

Injury replacements for West Ham before the FA Cup. dark. Next

If West Ham is going to finish this season off on a high note and move up the table, Ogbonna’s performances will be a huge part of it.  Although David Moyes must get the Iron’s attack firing on all cylinders, let’s hope Ogbonna’s incredible form keeps up. If the match against Bournemouth was any indication, Angelo is showing no signs of slowing down.