West Ham’s bosses are convinced they have a “far better squad” than last season at that Enner Valencia will prove to be the icing on the cake.
That the team should be without their marquee signing and Andy Carroll for the opening game – bar a fleeting appearence from the Ecuador international near the end – was unfortunate.
But co chairman David Gold told ClaretandHugh he is convinced the striker will make a huge difference to the side.
He said: “Don’t expect to see an all action player who is running all over the place all the time.
This is a player who conserves energy to produce electric pace which can l cause massive problems to any Premier League defence.
“He can play through the middle or wide and with him and Andy Carroll in the team we can be a serious, serious force. In the meantime he will be a real handful on his own account.”
Gold has regularly maintained the likes of Mauro Zarate, Ravel Morrison and Valencia give the manager plenty of options and game plans.
He said: “We believe we have a squad that can play to various systems. We believe we have a winning squad and one that can entertain – that’s what we are looking for this season.”
Zarate could make a difference – if he is played!
In the first NZ game he looked lively and scored, however in the second game he was up front on his own and looked lost.
If Sam’s judgement of him is based on that second game; he is wrongly using it as justification to not play him, but he could have made an impact against 10 men Spurs alongside Cole or Valencia in second half IF given a chance
Whay buy him if he’s not to be used?
Just a shame DG kept a manager who won’t use him to his strengths let alone use Zarate or Morrison … I can’t wait for Andy Carol to return and see Valencia played out wide in a 4-5-1 … absolutely priceless