The summer clear out at West Ham United – the departure of sixteen players – was not quite matched by the influx of new recruits ready for the Championship. Holes in the squad have been filled pretty admirably by former academy players who have used the relegation as a massive chance to step forward into the vacuum left by seasoned pros’ departing.
Nils Koppen and Nuno between them did bring in several new recruits as the start of a rebuild, yet some of the new arrivals are taking time to acclimatise. Earlier this morning we highlighted a report concerning Arne Engels – and in addition there’s speculation over the slow start of anther summer recruit, West Ham’s Manor Solomon.
In their article entitled ‘West Ham fans should not lose faith in £5m man despite form frustrations – here’s why”, English League specialist the72.co.uk suggest:
“Manor Solomon has not had the impact hoped at West Ham, but past success suggests the best is yet to come….Solomon has two goals and two assists in 12 league matches to date, but he has struggled to impress with the Hammers. Nuno Espirito Santo has kept faith in the 27-year-old though, and supporters should do the same.
Furthermore, his last Championship spell will give WHUFC hope too. Solomon endured an even slower start at Leeds United, taking time to settle before catching alight in November with 10 goals and 12 assists registered in the 31 games after breaking his duck.
Manor Solomon – he’ll come good, just as he did at Leeds, reports claims
“History shows Solomon’s slow start is not a rarity, and suggests that his lethal best is still to come.”
Admittedly, illness and a heavy international workload seem to have affected Solomon’s club performances and with another international break next month there’s little sign of a respite. Hopefully the turnaround in form which the player experienced at Leeds will kick in just in time for the hectic schedule over the December festive period.
His ‘lethal best’ would be well received by supporters who’ve seen plenty of running so far, but on far too many occasions ending up in blind alleys.
The suggestion that Solomon is a slow starter makes no sense. The 2 goals he has scored were both in the first month of the season, since then, nothing. Austbo on the other hand, younger and less experienced, has looked far more like becoming a West Ham favourite through goals scored and assists. Solomon obviously has skills, but the reason we are not seeing results is not because he is tired or a slow starter. Again, another problem for the man management team, if only we had one of those.