By Hughie Southon
After the first four games of the season, the mighty Irons quite rightly should be pleased with themselves and a lot of that may be down to the new arrivals..
Here, we give our early ratings on Areola – who could be considered a Premier League newcomer! I know it is only four games into the season but let’s have a look at how they have rated
Areola: 8 Perhaps the player that has taken my eye the most. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride, he really has come of age as our new number 1 stopper. Have you noticed his distribution is far quicker and more accurate than Fabianski?
Alvarez:8 Playing with him must send a wave of confidence through the back line. Swaggering and oozing confidence, he is perhaps our best new signing.
Ward-Prowse:8 Fitted in to the team with the minimum of fuss, his dead ball skill is well known but I was more than surprised at his work rate – very commendable.
As regards Mohammed Kudus, the few minutes we have him seen of him , he certainly looks more than capable.
Among the others who have caught the eye so far are:
Paqueta:9 What a classy player. Always thinking , always looking for that perfect pass. It is hardly surprising that City have been sniffing around him. Again he has a very high work rate, which you do not normally associate with players of that ilk
Bowen:8 He seems to be playing more as a front role this season. His tireless runs and positional awareness has helped the Irons to their best start in years
Antonio:7 For a man who is supposedly unhappy at West Ham, you would not have guessed. Plays his heart out every time he puts on the claret and blue. An absolute nuisance to all defenders and our king of the hold-up play.
and…. David Moyes 9: Has got everything ALMOST spot on with Tim Steidten