Yesterday’s clean sheet against league leaders Swansea showed a level of defensive solidity that has been lacking earlier in the season. Whilst Kilman and Mavropanos achieved their ‘shut out’ the jury is still out over the suitability of the two as West Ham’s answer to constant defensive wobbles in the first ten games of the season.
How Nuno – and fans – would have loved to keep last year’s loanee Axel Disasi who turned his back on West Ham for a loan at Crystal Palace.
Which hasn’t exactly gone to plan for the Frenchman, who might well now be questioning his decision to quit the club at which he was universally admired for the solidity he brought to West Ham’s defence alongside Dions Mavropanos.
Considering Disasi is currently suspended after a straight red card – which, together with his performances since joining, has not exactly endeared him to the Crystal Palace fan base – it certainly is not beyond the realms of possibility that his loan could be cancelled. Just two days ago the BBC.co.uk ran an ‘Palace fan article entitled:
The one who got away – West Ham fans and probably the player himself – now wish he’d stayed in east London.
‘I fear fans have turned on Axel Disasi’
West Ham, ever hopeful, would apparently love to bring their hero of last season back to east London for the second half of their Championship campaign. In an ‘exclusive’ claimed by Hammers.news yesterday:
“West Ham will try again to bring Axel Disasi back to the club after Crystal Palace fans turned on the defender…
A senior West Ham source has confirmed exclusively [to Hammers News] that Axel Disasi remains a target, with a January return possible if his loan spell at Crystal Palace is cut short and a summer reunion also realistic.”
Something to look forward to then: We’ll keep an eye on the French defender’s selection at ‘Palace once his suspension is served. if he gets anchored to the bench then there’s seemingly everything to play for come the winter window.