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Johnson: Hammers will go to toe to toe with Reds

Ben Johnson reckons the Hammers need have no fear as they head for Anfield tomorrow night ( Wed).

The Hammers showed last season they are more than capable against the bigger clubs and could consider themselves unlucky in a 0-1 defeat on Merseyside.

They battled brilliantly and had their chances but, with no recognised central defenders fully fit apparently it could be a tad more difficult tomorrow,

Having said that Ben himself looked in decent form in a back three at Saints and has plenty of belief in the improving squad despite gaining only a point at St Marys.

However, there remains a chance that Kurt Zouma could be back for a match at a stadium where the right back believes we have the right to expect some sort of result.

West Ham split the points with Liverpool last season, winning 3-2 at home before losing 0-1 away, with Johnson starting both matches, while the previous two campaigns brought narrow 2-3 and 1-2 defeats at Anfield.

And he said: “One hundred per cent, [we can go there and have a go]. The last few times we’ve been there, we’ve been unfortunate with the results, during COVID and last season as well, when we lost one-nil

“All the lads will be up for it in that atmosphere and to play in such a fantastic stadium against fantastic players, so we’ll go toe-to-toe with them.”

One player who could be vital to West Ham’s chances at Anfield is Gianluca Scamacca, whose centre-forward play in recent matches has caught the eye.

The Italian has not just scored goals, but his link and hold-up play and willingness to make himself available for the ball have impressed his teammates and supporters alike.

“Luca has been a fantastic addition and I think competition in all areas of the pitch makes you play better,” Johnson observed.

“For Mick (Michail Antonio) as well, whenever Mick has come in in Europe and in the Premier League as well, he has looked very sharp since Luca has come and I’m sure he’ll have his chance starting again or even playing with both of them up front.

“He brings us a different option to Mick and I think that’s what you need in a squad. For example, Flynn [Downes] gives you something different to Tom [Soucek] and Dec [Rice] and it gives the manager options.

“Around the back as well, we’ve got a lot of options, so hopefully we can push on with that and gain a lot of momentum in the Premier League because it’s the most important competition for us.”

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

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

3 comments on “Johnson: Hammers will go to toe to toe with Reds

  1. Ben himself looked decent. I cant believe you saw that in the game. The lad has unfortunately been hyped up into something he is not. He needs a loan to a good championship club to further his development to see exactly whether he an cut it or not. I have watched him in several games including games in Europe which are not always the same intensity as the PL and he has really struggled to such an extent he cannot be trusted and that is detrimental as a defender. So I got agree with your comment that he has looked decent and again I will prob get slated for this.

    • I agree, and have similar concerns. I understand that fans want him to do well as he is an Academy product but he is suffering from being a “utility” player with no defined position or particular strengths to his game. As a full back his crossing is poor and he lacks pace, whilst as a centre back his passing lets him down – he has given the ball away in critical positions in a number of games recently – and he lacks a physical presence. I am not saying that he is a bad player, but I feel that he currently falls a long way short of the standard that West Ham are setting themselves when looking at new players.

  2. I think Ben is a decent player who should ideally be played regularly in his best position. Can’t help but feel that his willing versatility to help the team by being available all across the back line has led to criticism of his performance. Kehrer is in a similar position. I prefer to celebrate him rather than berate him in the current circumstance.

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