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Half time report: Every Iron rated at Christmas

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Adrian_3164087bHart: Palace aside, Joe has struggled. He may argue playing behind the Bilic defence was borderline impossible. Looks too intense 4

Adrian: Cult hero admitted he’d prepared for weeks before the City game and seized the keeper’s jersey with an inspired display 8

Zabaleta: Lacking the pace of old and managing his effort carefully. Clear favourite to rack up most bookings in the season 6

Reid: Often stood out in some of the pre-Moyes debacles on grounds of effort. Recently showing more responsibility for organisation 6

Ogbonna: Always looks happier in a back  three, much more focused in recent weeks. Special mention of his winner against Spurs at Wembley 6

Rice: Dropped by Bilic for his mistake at Newcastle, brought back by Moyes in his correct position. Needs experience but looks confident at this level 6

Fonte: Regular for Bilic before suffering long-term injury. Unlikely to see much more of him, I’d suggest 3

Collins: Limited appearances through injury. Continues to play within his limitations 4

Cresswell: Struggled as wing-back. Reborn under Moyes as one of three centre-backs and defending very well 7

Noble: Perhaps the most impressive example of the new fitness regime is seeing the skipper running to the end of games. Passing needs to improve 6

Obiang: Mixed. Some very good, more average 5

Fernandes: Slotted in to the midfield against City and played extremely well. Limited chances otherwise 6

Kouyate: Another showing improved fitness levels. Also played well at City before injury 5

Lanzini: Looked burdened with the creative responsibility early in the season. Under Moyes has added defensive and positional attributes 7

Antonio: Still shows huge naivety (Palace away). Needs to get to full ‘Moyes-fitness’ but put in some great efforts leading the line against City, Chelsea and Arsenal 6

Arnautovic: Moyes has transformed Marko from peripheral, unfocused wide player to an all-action, committed, attacking hero-in-the-making. More to come 7
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Masuaku: The genius behind moving Cresswell in one has been releasing Masuaku at wing-back. Ability to carry the ball, and the team, upfield has been invaluable 8

Ayew: Love him or hate him, Ayew is an option of the bench and has come on to score a few vital goals 6

Carroll: Lots of huffing, puffing, elbows and frustration. Not scored, or looked likely to 4

Hernandez: Four typical poachers goals from very limited chances. Injury kept him out of the early days of the Moyes revolution 5

Sakho: Kept Bilic in the job for a while longer with his last minute winner against Swansea. Only starts have been in two League Cup ties 4

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

0 comments

  • Lazurus. rises like a salmon says:

    Cresswell 7 ? One of the best so far ?
    Gets a 4 from me lol! He’s been pants for the second season now. Can’t defend to save his life , and as a centre half ,unless he’s nickname is twizzle he can’t win a ball into the box ,
    Defensively and creatively we still have problems , they are not going away lol , unless new blood comes in expect lapses and more problems , it also looks like Moyes is feeling the strain as well , his team selections and comments about Carroll were and are worrying , understandable with what he’s got to choose from. But he’s picking the wrong players as bilic did and tinkering with their positions and playing them not fit ! Jan needs to be good or were in the mire , a lottery who goes down , we certainly didn’t come to the running track for this
    Pile of rubbish !
    Merry fekin Xmas sugo ! This club needs some investment asap and sully needs to be kept away from player recruitment , !!! Get the cheque book out and make good you’re promises!!
    If not fek off ! 2018 could prove you’re downfall !! 😎

  • kevin says:

    Why not give Moyes & His Boys a clean slate starting with today or Jan 2018 . Reckon they deserve it after the promise they have showing . Ok , I know we have stunk in our last two games but , the overall improvement is there for all to see . Think positive lads . 2018 has 19 games to win points from . Even the teams in the top four to six are looking shabby at times . And with a luck we could have gotten more points . I’m optimistic for the second round of the league .
    COYHAMMERS .

  • BrookingtoDevonshire says:

    Jesus Christ, how many would you give Moyes? 11 he’s done nothing special .
    Masauka,had one really good game.Otherwise still a liability.He’ll play the same crap players and out of position .
    Adrian and 7 at best.
    Sakho scores and you give him a 4.
    Ayew scores bit contributes nowt
    Rice at least a 7.He’s been made a scape goat but he’s only 18.All of our defence constantly make worse errors than his tiny error against City.
    Your analysis is constantly way of Hugh and are constantly patronising to the board,Moyes etc

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