ClaretandHugh’s PlayerWatch reporter Danny Leach took a close up look at Angelo Ogbonna as he continues to operate at central defence following Fabian Balbuena’s injury.
28 – Headers a wayward Bournemouth long ball to Cresswell
33 – Clears away an attempted through ball into our box by King
37 – Is beaten for pace by Wilson on the right wing but Rice is there to recover the ball for his team mate and he plays it back to Fabianski
46 – A foul is awarded against him after grappling Wilson
66 – Makes a goal saving block as Fraser slides the ball across the box
74 – Blocks a Brooks cross on the edge of the area on the left hand side
77 – Tussles with Brooks in the area to shield the ball out for a West Ham goal kick
80 – Forces Brooks to play the ball out for a goal kick
89 – Blocks a potent through ball into the box by Fraser
Verdict – 8 – Despite the result it was a highly impressive performance today by Ogbonna who is having a good run in the team in the absence of Balbuena. He partners very naturally with Diop and throughout the game he made many very important blocks and tackles. His distribution from the back was also to a good standard today. Possibly he could have done more to block Wilson’s goal at 1-0 but that would be very harsh criticism to what was a spectacular effort. Balbuena will have a tough act to follow when he returns from injury.
