Blind Hammer looks at the candidates for the HOTY 2018-19.
Pundits all over the land are gearing up their Crystal Ball predictions for the new season. Richard keys has made his normal mournful prediction that we will, as a team, despite summer investment, struggle.
In West Ham history our good seasons tend to be defined by the brilliance of one player. We can remember the brilliance of a Brooking season, a Di Canio season and of course the Payet season. Of course there is always the exception that proves the rule; Parker achieved national recognition despite relegation in 2011.
So if we are to progress , who will be the star to emerge? Our summer investment has attracted a wide candidate pool. If money is a guide then the hot favourite is Felipe Anderson. He has, potentially, skills to unlock a goal against even the highest quality opponents. Pellegrini has already described our marquee signing as a crowd pleaser. Anderson himself describes his skills as:
” “My game is dribbling but I also want to concentrate on the team aspects of the game, whether that be marking or regaining possession. I want to do whatever is necessary for the team but then also to stand out in my own right.”.””
Anderson is pitching for a role as a hard working team man with flair, a combination which, if he pulls it off, will undoubtedly endear him to the faithful.
Another recruit candidate is of course Yarmolenko.
Our new Director of football Mario Husillos describes Yarmolenko talents as:
“When we had the opportunity to sign him, we did not hesitate, because he really is the kind of player that we were looking for. He is a left-footed player but can play on the right and is very quick, very good one-on-one against a defender. He gives the team a lot of attacking options and scores goals, is fast on the counter-attack and provides aerial threat with his height.”
If Yarmolenko delivers these skills he will replicate the performance of last year’s HOTY, Arnautovi?. The presence of both in the same team is in theory mouth-watering.
Fredericks could of course, emerge as a storming presence down the right, as could Arthur Masuaku on the left. Yet other candidates could have a storming season to outstrip all the summer recruits. Rice’s progress continues to astound and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he could win both young and senior Hammer of the Year. Even Antonio, a previous HOTY, showed a brief flash in pre-season of the player he could be again with a wonder goal.
For my own part my suspicion is that provided his head is straight and not distracted by his alleged Brother’s machinations to manoeuvre a move, Marko Arnautovi? will be the favourite for HOTY for a second year running. He has demonstrated in pre-season that he remains our most lethal threat. There is no reason why he should suffer from second season syndrome, especially with talent around him to reduce pressure. Opposition defences will not be able to concentrate so much on him with Anderson et al, to worry about.
Yet if we are to take the lesson of Arnautovi? we should remember that it was nearly half way through last season before he sparked under his new attacking role with Moyes. If Anderson and Yarmolenko do not deliver in August we should not despair. Delivering in November, December and into next year will be more crucial for our prospects. If we can steady the ship early on then the talent in the squad should lead us to calmer waters.
COYI
David Griffith