West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos spoke enthusiastically about the honour of captaining the Hammers against Burton Albion yesterday.
There were the usual clichés and platitudes you’d expect from anyone making their first appearance as skipper, but I genuinely felt Mavropanos meant it. Wearing the armband clearly mattered to him.
And while the opposition weren’t Premier League standard, Dinos embraced the responsibility admirably.
In what was a dull and uninspiring game, he was at times West Ham’s biggest attacking threat — while also acting as the defensive linchpin at the back.
That in itself tells you plenty.
Todibo Return Gives Nuno a Genuine Dilemma
Mavropanos’ form, combined with the encouraging performances of on-loan Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, has handed Nuno Espírito Santo a welcome problem.
Because unless Nuno reverts to a back three, he now faces a tough call when Jean-Clair Todibo returns from suspension.
It’s no longer a foregone conclusion that Mavropanos drops to the bench.
Recent results and performances suggest West Ham haven’t suffered too much in Todibo’s absence — and at this point, it would feel harsh to omit Mavropanos, who has arguably been the club’s most reliable and consistent defender this season.
For once, Nuno has a genuine selection headache.
And it’ll be fascinating to see which way he goes.
Nice photograph of Mav practicing possession football.
Can’t imagine that it will work for entire games, though.
I liked him as captain. Was up at the ref to defend his players when requured which is the basic requirement of a captain. Id let jarod sleep with my wife but he just isnt captain material
Gonzo on this I agree. Mav should keep his place but their is something else that stands out for me. If Bowen had been Captain you would not have seen him speaking to players and the ref the way Mav did. It’s not the be all and end all of begin Captain but is it what we are missing?
Totally agree I thought the worse thing about the Chelsea result was losing Todibo for 3 games and then buying what I had heard was an inferior defender from Chelsea who didn’t want to play for us. Both of these opinions seem to be way off the mark which is a result for a change
I think you leave the team as it is
He was stupid enough to of got himself sent off which could have been costly to us
We need fight don’t get me wrong, but need players which can keep their heads when under pressure
I love Todibo but he will have to await his chance now
Disaster has been fantastic, leave well alone, can always make a change if needed
Disasi has been better than I was expecting. Todibo is much improved. Mavropanos is much improved. Any two would be a good pairing. I’d leave Todibo out by basis of the other two have done nothing to warrant dropping them. What a difference a few months make.