Fredericks blows his big chance

Hammer Ryan Fredericks appeared to blow his big chance yesterday to nail down the number one spot for right back, Manuel Pellegrini showed faith in the young defender after an impressive performance against Liverpool last Monday night but he failed to show the same consistency at Selhurst Park he demonstrated at the London Stadium.

That led some West Ham supporters to suggest he is not ready for the step up to the number one right back spot and appeared to be out of his depth yesterday against Crystal Palace. Sure he was up against Wilfred Zaha who should arguably not have started but it was not the same performance we saw against Liverpool.

Fredericks confidence must have suffered further as the manager replaced him with Pablo Zabaleta eight minutes after Zaha’s equaliser and his face on the bench told you everything you needed to know as cameras zoomed in on the 26-year-old face.

In a Claret and Hugh poll on Friday of over 1,460 readers over 63% wanted Ryan Fredericks to start with the remaining 37% insisting Pablo Zabaleta was the right man to start.

There are twelve days of no football before West Ham face Fulham on Friday 22nd February when Pellegrini must decide which right back to start.