Issa Diop struggled against Huddersfield this afternoon – a big surprise given his amazing level of performance since arriving in the first team.
The Hammers were very quick to snap up the young French defender last summer and it’s been easy to see why as he has turned in top performance after top performance.
He’s a top player who had a very rare bad day at the office.
At 22 years old the former Toulouse defender has been near faultless and I am writing this only because the criticism of him on some forums has already started.
It needs to stop because the boy has been brilliant this season and he’s allowed one bad game surely.
As a result of Diop’s form today Angelo Ogbonna’s dipped and hopefully we may well see the young man reunited with his former defensive partner Fabian Balbuena against Everton.
Amazingly, Diop has made 34 appearances in the first team and today – for the first time – looked leggy along with Declan Rice.
Both need a rest but with our squad so skinny neither are going to get it this season. Hopefully next season we will have cover for Rice, perhaps in the shape of Chilean Gary Medel and Winston Reid back to take his turn when required.
I have nothing but admiration for Diop who at a relatively young age has arrived from France and settled in to the manner born.
With The General back for the game against Everton I think we will see a very different performance from him.
These young players that are physical specimens never get rested. Then before you know it you find you’ve got the next Winston Reid on your hands and they will be getting one injury after another. That seems to be the West Ham way.
I think any time he has played without Balbuena he hasn’t looked half as good, the defence yesterday apart from Zaba was a shambles. Can’t wait to see Balbuena back.
Agree, Diop has had an excellent season so far, but maybe better to give him a break next time out and partner Balbuena with Ogbonna!
Balbuena back in alongside Diop, for me, to re-organise things. There’s 2 weeks before the next match, so a youngster like Diop will be able to have a rest before then.
Thought Antonio was unlucky to get hooked at half-time. Anderson’s still flattering to deceive, in my eyes. He was dreadful at Cardiff and not much better yesterday. I’d like to see Holland and Silva given a go before the season ends, plus Johnson again. Could save the Daves a packet …