Whilst I felt that West Ham were in second gear for much of the final 45 minutes against Sheffield United. There were some who endeavoured to sparkle and impress. Unfortunately for Said Benrahma, Mohammed Kudus sparkled so much, it magnified his Algerian team mate’s flaws.
Both were introduced as 71st minute substitutes, however the differences in their impacts could not have been more stark. Kudus sizzled, he looked fast, energetic and decisive. Benrahma on the other hand seemed to be hesitant, a yard off the pace and easy to disposes.
Kudus exposes Benrahma flaws. Ghanaian sparked as a substitute against Sheffield United
There are levels in football, and some of West Ham’s players are operating at the very top of their game. Edson Alvarez, James Ward Prowse, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen are four such players. The standards within the team are incredibly high, so when a player dips below that level, it becomes highlighted.
It’s probably too early to suggest the team have gone up a level this season. But they have clearly not become worse following the departure of Declan Rice. With so many in the team playing well, it requires a big impact for those on the bench to force the manager’s hand.
Uphill struggle for Benrahma
Unfortunately for Benrahma, nothing he did during his 26 mins on the pitch at The London Stadium caught the eye . . . well not for the right reasons anyway. Kudus, on the other hand, was an immediate threat and has given David Moyes something to ponder.
It shouldn’t be forgotten of course, that Said Benrahma created the wining goal midweek against Lincoln City. He is a fine player, who turned up and thrived during West Ham’s cup final in Prague.
However, Benni’s impact is much diminished this season, and he is often wasteful in possession. Not enough of his wing-play results in a cross or pass. And even less of his shots threaten to yield a goal.
Benrahma is another who will disappear to the African Cup of Nations in January. If he doesn’t make his mark in the team beforehand, he may find it very difficult to get in once Moyes stops rotating the team in March.
I feel sorry for Benny his confidence must be knocked, in this new system he has been replaced by Paqueta and when we talk of levels it’s a level too far beyond where he is so now he knows he is a substitute at least until Paqueta leaves for a bigger club. I also recognise though his exemplary attitude as a person seen when he left his old club giving the staff his bonus and when he sees fans being manhandled trying to defend them. He is an asset to our club and I hope he isn’t discarded as some others have been in the past as a result of Moyes playing the same team and system week in and week out.
Look we have to find a way to fit Mo in the side . Benny is not a bad player and needs to find the right pass sometimes . To be honest we will need all of them due to the sheer number of games . COYI ⚒