As it is my self-styled ‘move-on Monday’ – fostering for myself, if not others, a mood of defiant optimism for the new week after a pretty ordinary weekend – some of the positives from the weekend’s fixture need emphasising and cementing as we all look for a way forward. From some of the screaming headlines you’d think we were on the point of relegation already.
There is no crisis yet. West Ham have much to do, the Head Coach needs to get his act together. Yes indeed. but there were slivers of good news to come out of the Chelsea game.
I have already pointed to the potential once Aaron Wan-Bissaka reverts to a ‘regular’ right back – best in the league according to Michael Owen – and another positive from Saturday’s game was the debut finally given to Andy Irving.
Having long been labelled the ‘Invisible Man’ owing to his anonymous entrance to the club – being bought and loaned out again must be a strange ‘twilight zone’ – and last season in Austria he must have felt fully the 2000 miles apart from all things Claret and Blue.
Good preseason, a squad place and finally a debut for Andy Irving
A good pre-season, with assists and a goal, kept him in the squad and he finally appeared on 79 minutes on Saturday. One tame shot went straight to the ‘keeper, but finally he was wearing the shirt. Speaking to the club web site after, Irving had every right to feel pleased that he’s finally a Hammer:
“It feels amazing to have made my debut: Since I signed for the Club the biggest thing for me was playing in the Premier League for West Ham, so I’m really happy that I’ve been able to do that and that my hard work has paid off.
I’ve put in a lot of work, and I wanted to stay and show what I can do. It was good to get on against Chelsea; it’s just a shame about the result on the day because it was disappointing for everyone.”
Important indeed that Andy is not tarred with the same brush that tainted many players’ performances on Saturday- 18 minutes is no time and certainly not enough to form a judgement about his Premier League credentials.
He did not look out of place and I’d hope we see him again soon enough in the middle of the park: It would be good to understand more of his game and why Lopetegui decided to keep him within the squad this year.
If he offers something different then he is well worth his place in the midfield squad: With the Spanish – speaking contingent taking a bit of a pasting in the press after Saturday, Irving could well be a rotation option which offers another dimension. Far to early to say from just an 18 minute debut, but don’t write him off just because the team failed to perform.
Looking at how thin the squad is, especially midfield, expect Andy Irving to get playing time as the season progresses, injuries come and potentially, Paqueta get banned for the season.
Irving looked Okay, but Chelsea were cruising by then and not putting much pressure on the ball until 25 yards out. So maybe not the toughest introduction?
Good to finally have a chance to see what Irving can contribute on the pitch. Part of West Ham’s problems is to see that the passion and character displayed by Lopetegui during the games he learns to transfer to his team on the pitch. Irving seems to combine the right motivation and pace to get granted more minutes.
I thought it was great seeing Irving come on and he didn’t look out of place in the match at all. His shot, while comfortably saved, was a volley from distance if memory serves and it looked a good crack from the broadcast! Let’s hope he gets more minutes in the cup game this week.
I agree with you, Martin. Irving certainly did ok during his limited time on the pitch and did not look out of place at all. That is something I could not say with some of the others! So kudos to Andy Irving!
As I’ve been saying for sometime the squad is too old that includes midfield, this was very evident against Chelsea how slow the midfield is and continues to get overrun. This guy needs games and now!