Review of the Team: Part III - Midfield

With Noble, and Nolan in the midfield was the Hammers signing of the season Momo Diame. The free transfer to Wigan was one of the best purchases Allardyce has made in his two years at the club. Diame was so impressive the first half of the season, talks of a move to Arsenal in January were circulating due to a release clause in his contract. However nothing went through and he was very hit and miss during the second half of the season. Of course his display against Chelsea will never be forgotten, one of the best forty five minutes of the season, but Diame does lack one thing. Diame lacks the power to know when he needs to pass, as he will run into three players rather than give and go. Diame is power house, but his second half of the season inconsistency and mental attributes need tweaking. The inconsistency may be overcome with a new contract which will put the rumours to bed, allowing the Senegalese to play his game.

Welcome back to injury, is something we've heard far too often about Jack Collison. Before his serious injury in 2010, Collison was probably becoming one of the Hammers' best players but the injury setback his career and he has not been the same since. Collison is still a good player to have on the bench or in the squad but is he ever going to live up to his potential or stay fit for a full season? The Welshman needs to keep fit to be able to ever fight for a place in the first team, as his role in the lead-up and first leg of play-offs was key, something we need to see more of from Collison.

Another player who suffers with his injury problems is Joe Cole. When the little winger signed from Liverpool, after a decade away, many thought it was a dream come true. Losing Cole in 2003 was probably the most hardest thing of being relegated as well as losing Carrick the year after. Cole, however is a different player to the one we all remember, firstly the hair, secondly the injuries. If Cole stays fit next year, he will be an extremely useful player but it will be only if due to his track record.

The last two are probably on the need to leave list for very different reasons. Firsty, Matt Taylor has had his day in the Premier League and when he came on last year, he did not seem like he could actually keep up by the end. Taylor is very erratic, something we do not need at this time of stability. Secondly, Alou Diarra needs to leave due to his lack of respect for the club. If he does not want to be at the club then let him leave. He may have seemed a bargain buy but has just caused headaches by running off to the French press and moaning about the club, its bad press that the club does not need.

Lastly, Gary O'Neil is on the released list, and although he played well at the end, we need to step up in class and that means letting the fringe players go. Without letting anyone go, West Ham need a winger and an attacking midfielder. Zaha or Redmond would be nice for the Hammers, the latter especially as a long-term addition to the club.

 

Come On You Irons!