By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
Said Benrahma has already shown he has the ability to make a real and valuable contribution to the West Ham side David Moyes is continuing to craft.
He made a big impression with his first start against Leeds United, but last night against Crystal Palace he found the going much tougher and the game much harder to influence.
Said is very much a ‘work in process’ – which is exactly what Moyes was trying to emphasise when he refused to jump on the Benrahma bandwagon following our victory at Elland Road. A stance some people questioned.
This isn’t a criticism of Benrahma – simply an observation. Palace were a far more organised and resolute team than Leeds. They denied the Algerian the space and freedom to operate in, something he enjoyed to full effect last Friday.
As a consequence he found it much harder to carry the ball forward, run at and commit defenders, which is his game.
He never really got going, found himself running into cul-de-sacs and as a result looked frustrated at times, giving up the ball a little too easy on occasions for my liking – and I’m sure for his manager’s too.
In some ways Said could learn from Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who looked an impressive purchase by Roy Hodgson. Moyes admitted he was interested in the former Queen’s Park Rangers player, but at the time he was on the market the finances weren’t in place to make a successful bid.
Eze was possibly Palace’s best player last night, but was somewhat surprisingly sacrificed by Hodgson when Benteke was sent off. Eze looks to be physically stronger than Benrahma at the moment, too – and able to involve himself more regularly in the game.
But Eze’s confidence has come with game time – which is what Benrahma now needs to build on. With fixtures coming thick and fast at the moment, there will be plenty of opportunity for Said to grow in stature and durability.
Moyes knew exactly the way to integrate Jarrod Bowen’s talents into the team – and now the former Hull City man is a vital cog in the wheel. The manager will continue to do what he believes is right for Said Benrahma and the team – an why wouldn’t we trust him on that.
Sometimes it’s hard to go against the crowd when they start baying for a players inclusion or what they see as a solution to a problem…
This normally happens with youngsters that fans want to see thrown into a side (normally not doing well), but some supporters started to get a little grizzly and impatient with Benrahma’s delayed introduction into the side.
After his first start in the Leeds game, there was a lot of wild claims about him being the next big thing, and of course, he has every chance of becoming that… BUT…
He was naturally a little too eager at times and he looked to lack the… “When”.
When is it best to make the simple pass to retain possession…
When should he carry the ball…
When is it best to pass the ball…
When does he shoot…
This is the same process that happens with ALL players with talent, although some have it naturally. I remember Joe Cole having to learn this early on, but we forgave him as he was finding his way.
ALL of these things Moyes already knows about Benrahma and can see them on a daily basis. He will probably now be able to go over Benrahma’s performance on video with him now (also goes for Bowen and Haller). So IF the general consensus is that Moyes is the Best Manager that we have had in absolute Years…then let him Do his job and try to pause for thought before launching into him or being overly critical of his selections, as he is the right man at the helm with all the knowledge along with his coaching team.
So the message is simply Trust in Moyes COYI
I think Benteke was their best player. He was a pain whenever they were in our end (a metaphor).
Eze can’t defend, as was clear from their previous match, and was sacrificed to ensure a point.
Ok..maybe you’re right ..but as you said ,Crystal palace players played well and knew how to close down on Benrahma .
But the thing is that it’s his second game this season , and he can do a lot better
Rgards
Think that was Al’s point