Callum Wilson’s achievements since first pulling on a claret and blue shirt for the photo session in August have been twofold: He’s won over a cynical, hostile fan base who were smarting at being proved right over their fears that chairman David Sullivan was reverting to type with another cheapie free signing.
He’s also proven how much West Ham have been missing a half-decent striker: Not just the two goals he’s added, but the hold up play, the threat he offers and the dark arts of winning free kicks, moving defenders around and generally being a pain in the rear end to opponents.
How thin the Hammers’ squad depth looks in hindsight now, that a 33 year old veteran has been able to have so much impact. It should never have come to this, in all honesty, that Wilson has been able to force his way into the starting XI.
Wilson’s good old fashioned striker play shows what West Ham have been missing
He’s not done yet, by all accounts, and has a somewhat surprising ambition still burning bright, as he disclosed live on TalkSPORT:
“I wouldn’t say I’ve retired myself from international football by any means,” Wilson told talkSPORT after the win over Burnley. There’s a World Cup around the corner of course, I’ve had my eye on that from the pre-season. So I’m working hard towards it.”
Steady on, Callum, if sixty minutes is all you can give at the moment that is unlikely to cut any ice with Tomas Tuchel.
It does speak volumes for the guy’s self belief that he’s setting his sights so high after having been written off by just about everyone including West Ham fans like me who are, quietly, having to rethink their opinions of West Ham’ s hugely likeable new- even if only temporary -number nine.
His Premier League goal tally has now hit 90: You’d not bet against him hitting that ‘ton’ which is his stated milestone target before hanging up his boots.
Let’s be honest we look better with Wilson in the squad. Our defence could still tighten up if they do our squad will be fine . Good to see the effort keep it up lads ⚒
Callum Wilson has surprised me I like a lot of fans thought he would be just another has been that Sullivan got on the cheap but he seems to still have the skills to do a good job up front ok he’s not as quick as we would like but he knows how to be in the right place his reading of the game is good I would prefer him to fulkurg any day hopefully he can stay injury free and be a good asset to the club young strikers in the club could learn a lot from him so like others I was proved wrong about him so far
I griped about his age and injury record when he was signed, about our lack of ambition, not about his quality.
He’s a half decent forward who knows his trade and we’re better for it when he plays. Past his best for sure, sixty minutes or so is as good as it gets, how long will he remain fit ?
But he still has a bit that’s worthwhile to offer.