By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
After all the emotion of Thursday evening – and hopefully the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in Europe for West Ham it’s back to the bread and butter of the Premier League on Sunday when we face new boys Brentford at the London Stadium.
No game is mundane for the Hammers right now. Such is the air of anticipation and expectation each time David Moyes’ exciting team take to the field – every game is getting to feel like a cup final for us fans!
For one player in particular Sunday’s game against the Bees will be a special day indeed. Said Benrahma spent two season playing for the west London club, as they battled to climb out of the Championship and join the elite of English football.
They didn’t quite make it while Said was with them, but during the time he played for Brentford, Benrahma honed his skills and built his own reputation as a player capable of playing at the highest level. He became a huge favourite with the Griffin Park faithful – his 27 goals and 23 assists in the two seasons he spent there says everything about why he was such a popular figure.
Benrahma (Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
Said got his chance in the top flight when David Moyes snapped him up, first on a loan spell, then in a permanent transfer valued at £20.79m (according to Transfermarkt). Now his old club have followed in his footsteps – and Said will come face to face with some of his former team mates as three more valuable points go up for grabs.
Benny has really stepped up this season in style, more than just filling the gap left by Jesse Lingard’s return to Manchester United. He has started all six of our Premier League games , netting three goals and providing two assists in the process. And of course he put the seal on another fine performance on Thursday evening by opening his European account against Rapid Vienna.
I think it’s fair to say at times Benrahma divided opinion amongst West Ham supporters last term. Some loved him from the start because of his skill and flamboyance on the ball, while others labelled him something of a show pony – plenty of fancy footwork and trickery with not a great deal of end product.
His admirers claimed he was treated unfairly by not being given a regular place in the side – his 14 starts was topped by his 16 appearances as a substitute.
But under Moyers’ shrewd guidance Benny was learning all the while – getting to know what the manager wanted from him – what he needed to do and when he needed to do it, to best effect for the benefit of the team. His performances so far this season indicate Moyes was right (again), and Said has learned well.
It’s clear to see our little Algerian international is a now very popular and influential member of this special Hammers’ side, both on and off the pitch.
Sunday will no doubt be an important day for Benrahma, one where he will want to shine – in front of his old fans – but even more so in front of his growing band of new admirers.
Another one for sinclair to walk into manu team????? Play that game with any team forever. Now let ne think who would walk into West Ham team ???Lets ask Sinclair. Punditry in need of an overhaul methinks .More and more irrelevant !!!! everyday. Gets worse and not very credible.