Two to be grateful for

As Monday's transfer deadline draws ever closer the usual social media hysteria continues to rachet up to what appears to near suicidal levels for some of our fanbase.

Names of some players we’re said to be interested in, monitoring or considering have been kicking around for ages. Others appear to have materialised out of nowhere as the witching hour draws nearer. Dare I say it many of those being bandied about are the product of furtive imaginations? Who might be coming in – if anyone at all of course – remains to be seen!


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We wont know for certain until the clock ticks past 11pm on Monday 3rd February – as many of us will still be on our way home from Stamford Bridge. I for one will be glad to hear that last final ‘strike’ put an end to another round of endless nonsense.

But rather than spending the last few days speculating on who might be wearing the claret and blue for the remainder of the season, we might be better served looking at what we already have amongst our ranks, and what they can do in the second half of this fractious and disjointed season.

For me, two players in particular are re-emerging as possible crucial figures in new Head Coach Graham Potter’s recently inherited squad.

Lucas Paqueta and Mohammad Kudus both captured the imagination of the West Ham faithful when each first arrived at the London Stadium. They promised great things through reputation – and quickly established themselves as not only valuable assets to the team, but as players who could and did excite and entertain the fanbase.

Sadly both appeared to have lost their way in recent months. Paqueta hasn’t really been the same creative extrovert since the betting accusations surfaced – around the same time Manchester City were said to be contemplating an £85m deal. Despite his denial of any wrong doing the issue has clearly weighed heavily on his mind, affecting his confidence and ultimately his form on the field.

Mo Kudus was literally flying in his first six months at the club. Those mazy dribbles, direct running and resultant goal celebrations had everyone on the edge of their seat. But his absence early last year due to the AFCON tournament proved to be an untimely interruption, one he never fully recovered from.

This season under previous Head Coach Julen Lopetegui things looked to be going from bad to worse. There was clearly a clash of personalities between Mo and J-Lo culminating in a well-publicised half-time dressing room clash in the away game at Brentford. The coach ultimately exercising his authority by replacing the Ghanaian for the second 45 of the game.

Kudus’ body language at the time wasn’t good to say the least. It resulted in his halo slipping with the fans – and what was unthinkable just a few months earlier – talk of a move away – was being positively endorsed by some sections on social media. It was a repeat of Paqueta’s own decline in popularity. ‘Cash in and take the money’ was a proposition which seemed to be gathering momentum.

But the arrival of a new head coach in Graham Potter appears to have had an encouraging effect on both players. They look to be revitalised. Have a new spring in their step. A positive change for the better in their body language. A more focused look and feel about their play.


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Our recent injury crisis has forced Potter to ask both Paqueta and Kudus to play different roles to ones we had been accustomed to seeing. Roles which asked different requirement of them. It’s still early days of course, but so far both appear to have taken up the challenge with relish.

Graham Potter has already come across as a far better communicator than his predecessor. A coach who can engage more readily with his players. Explain clearly his way of thinking. Get across his preferred way of playing. In other words cajole the best from his side and the players he has available.

Lucas had his best game for many months last Sunday at Aston Villa – rightly winning the Man of the Match award. When questioned afterward on his role that afternoon he said: “I think I can do better…I’m still working…It’s a new position for me. The manager asked me to provide energy, press defenders, play short, to play simple, just go out and do my best.”

For his part Potter was delighted saying: “I thought he was fantastic. I always think with top attacking players – of which he is one in the Premier League right now – you can’t bully them. They’ve got a physique and power about them, and he can hold the defenders off and keep the ball for his team.”

On Kudus, Potter was equally complimentary. “Mo has had to adapt a bit. Mo’s taken on every challenge in a good way, and I think he’s someone who can play in lots of positions in the front three. If we can get the balance right, we’ve got a top, top player.”

For his part Kudus is equally positive. “I set high standards for myself. I’m not there yet, but we keep working because individually and as a team, we all know the reality of the situation we are in. Most importantly I’m fit and healthy and available to play a part in helping the team every single game.”

Of course Potter’s reign is still in its infancy – but the signs are certainly the most encouraging we’ve seen all season by far.

Naturally we hope to see at least one or two new faces through the door before the current window closes. But with Sullivan holding the purse strings we all know that isn’t guaranteed. But if these two older faces can continue to rediscover the form we know they have in abundance, the future has to be brighter than it would have been without them.

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