Veltman’s Clean-Sheet Record Raises A Selection Question

Most West Ham fans would agree that the Hammers have been banging in goals whilst looking shaky in defence this season. That’s why yesterday’s 1-0 victory against table-topping Swansea City was so welcome. For all our attacking talent, this felt like a victory for the defence.

One of our biggest issues has been down the right-hand side, where any team with a talented left winger seems capable of cutting us apart at will. It has been a recurring concern, irrespective of who Nuno Espírito Santo has selected at right-back.

Which brings me to a quite surprising statistic about Joël Veltman: according to West Ham’s official website, the Hammers have kept clean sheets in four of his last five Championship appearances.

Veltman’s Experience Showed Against Swansea

Of course, everyone in the defense did well yesterday and both Dinos and Morato probably had the more impressive games but Veltman was quietly efficient .

I thought he displayed all the hallmarks of a very experienced defender against Swansea. There were moments when his composure showed, and he combined nicely with Jarrod Bowen during the early stages.

As my player ratings reflected, it wasn’t a flawless individual performance. Nevertheless, he played his part in a defensive effort that delivered a hugely important clean sheet away from home.

Veltman himself acknowledged that West Ham should have made life easier by taking another of our chances. But his assessment of the defensive work was encouraging: Swansea threatened from set-pieces, whilst we limited what they could create in open play.

I Would Keep Veltman In Against Southampton

With a week between games, I would definitely start Veltman against Southampton.

Kyle Walker-Peters gives Nuno another option, but I don’t see a reason to change that position after such an important victory at Swansea. Veltman has the opportunity to recover, prepare and build on a performance in which his experience was evident.

Our right-hand side still needs to show it can cope consistently with dangerous opponents. One result doesn’t erase those concerns, but four clean sheets in five appearances is a better record than I would have expected.

For me, Veltman keeps the shirt.