CandH Player Watch: Cheik Kouyate

 

DannyC

 

In our new Player Watch series we put the focus on Cheik Kouyaté who was asked to fill in at the back – here’s how CandH’s man Danny Danielli Leach appraised the big fella’s game as he filled in a problem position given injuries!

 

kouyate

8 – Wins the ball well from Mané

11 – Blocks Mané from getting the ball and we keep possession

19 – Intercepts a pass from Firmino then scoop turns him to keep us the ball

23 – Heads out a dangerous ball in the box  for a corner

28 – Heads away a powerfully whipped in free kick

30 – Does a great sliding tackle on Mané

41 – Caught flat footed and Firmino goes past him easily but Reid prevents any further attack

45 – Fernandes off for Carroll and now has to play RB in a 442 formation

45 – Whips in a nice cross but no one is there to get it

46 – Lovely play and interchange with Ayew preceding a deflected cross which goes out for a corner

49 – We lose possession after he miscontrols a long ball from Chicharito

54 – Wonderful sliding tackle on Mané gets both the man and ball

57 – Good cross from tight angle but no one can connect it

67 – Stands up well against Mané forcing a bad shot

75 – GOAL – Does not get over to Salah quick enough for fourth. Positioning could have been better

81 – Whacks Moreno with great challenge preventing his run

86 – Positioning is poor again not getting across to Firmino before he shoots

88 – Misjudges flight of ball resulting in a close chance for Liverpool

Verdict: 6

Considering he was played out of his natural position our Senegalese enforcer should go out with his head held high. Played with real brute force and high energy throughout giving Mané and Firmino a tough time. Positionally could have been better especially in the second half.

 

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon