West Ham United’s Hammer of the Year has been unveiled as defender Konstantinos Mavropanos in what, for the Greek international, has been something of a season of redemption. Starting the year as a benched substitute – believe it or not, behind Maximilian Kilman and Jean Clair Todibo in Graham Potter’s West Ham pecking order – “Mavropanic‘ as he was christened sat and watched as the season openers went so badly wrong for Potter’s side.
Who’d have thought then that the ‘accident-prone’ centre back -as he was described last year-would receive the ultimate accolade from West Ham United fans.
It was the arrival of Axel Disasi in the January window which gave Dinos a big boost of confidence, gained from playing alongside a reliable defensive partner rather than the erratic Todibo or the limp Kilman.
Another goal line clearance as West Ham have dug deep this year
He’s since gone from strength to strength, epitomising everything good about being a Hammer. Getting in numerous last-ditch blocks and tackles, fearless, often taking a whack full in the face but seemingly rock solid and with goals to match clean sheets.
West Ham’s number 15’s input, alongside Chelsea’s loanee. has done much to give West Ham a glimmer of hope for last – day survival which looked long gone at the turn of the year.
Modest with it, too. Narrowly beating Mateus Fernandes to the award, Dinos told whufc.com
“I can say it’s a crazy achievement and I want to show my appreciation to the fans, because obviously they voted for this award and I’m really happy to be Hammer of the Year.
Obviously, the situation is not the best, but I really appreciate the fans that they showed to me this feeling of getting something.”
Following in the footsteps of previous illustrious recipients of the HOTY award ( Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek, to name but a few) Mavropanos deserves huge credit for raising his game this year under Nuno – whatever the outcome tomorrow. (And that comes from one who’s slagged him off in previous years – so well done indeed, ‘Mav’).
For many current Hammers first teamers – Mavropanos included – the Leeds game could well prove their Claret and Blue swan song unless an unlikely escape gets delivered by a West Ham victory coupled with David Moyes’ Everton sending Tottenham down. We can but dream.
p.s. i remember very well what we were all saying about Oggy in his first 2 seasons. it’s why i’ve never slagged off either Mav or JC in the past. some players just need a longer styling in at a club. sure, they make costly mistakes to begin with but in the long run we give them a good send off when we wave goodbye and sing their song. let’s hope they’re heroes if they get the chance help us get 3pts
honestly, i thought it was widely agreed, that after a couple of mistakes from both Mav and JC, that they performed pretty well in backs-to-the wall matches, where they were simply not provided with enough cover from a midfield and front 3 that were just sitting off the ball without much of a press and giving the opposition too much room to move. too much was being asked of our cbs. JC might also be the best of the 3 cbs at dispossessing an opposition player of the ball. very clean tackler and he usually does it whilst running – and coming away WITH the ball. just think he’s a tad better than most people believe and not quite the flop that some suggest. at least he had enough passion about him to get sent off 😆 anyway, that just may be my last 2cents worth regarding him…amongst others 😰