Tony Cottee has told Blowing Bubbles Monthly that modern interpretation of the rules has made a striker’s life easier than it was in the past – but West Ham need to find someone to partner Javier Hernandez up front to make the most of that situation.
The Mexican has scored four goals so far in West Ham colours but a seeming uncertainty about where he fits in in the team has cost him more chances, and Cottee, one of the club’s greatest ever strikers, says he needs more help.
“Defenders used to be able to take two or three digs at you before they’d even be considered for yellow cards – nowadays if they make one mistake they’re booked and that obviously benefits the forwards, which makes it easier…. But playing with someone gives you more options. It gives the midfield and defenders more options.”
For more thoughts from Tony Cottee, including what he thinks the future holds for his old team-mate Slaven Bilic, a look back at some of the club’s best and worst keepers over the years, and analysis of where it all went wrong for Diafra Sakho, be sure to get a “copy of the new edition of Blowing Bubbles – out now”:http://www.blowing-bubbles.co.uk/read-our-latest-issue.html