Winger Adama Traoré seems to have gone from zero to hero and back to zero again, if the last two games are anything to go by.
The muscle-bound Spanish winger was universally accepted to be Nuno Espírito Santo’s top transfer target in the January window, with the Hammers boss refusing to give up on bringing his former Wolverhampton Wanderers player to the London Stadium despite multiple knockbacks.
Traoré signed on the dotted line for the remainder of the season and did not get much of a look-in after arriving late in January.
Leeds Display Suggested Breakthrough
However, a couple of promising substitute appearances, followed by a man-of-the-match performance against Leeds United, appeared to point towards more game time for the former FC Barcelona man.
But Traoré has been notable by his absence during the Hammers’ last two games against Crystal Palace and Everton.
Of course, many would argue the end justifies the means. After all, four important points were taken from two difficult fixtures, so some would say: who needs Traoré anyway?
And perhaps they would have a point.
Bowen And Summerville Stepping Up
Jarrod Bowen registered two assists in the win against Everton, while Crysencio Summerville caused such a nuisance that he managed to get half of the Everton team booked.
That said, it still feels a little odd that the player Nuno pushed so hard to sign in January is now not getting any game time from the bench, despite seemingly reaching full match fitness.
Never felt he was good enough, he is paced but is very bulky and does not defend well. Also is not a team player, selfish when the best option is to pass to team mate in a far better goal scoring position. I would love to see Cummings on the bench.
So let’s hope we can get the right result this weekend and we can put a few more goals away with the many chances we make.
Come on you Irons
You clearly don’t follow the 21s because Cummings barely plays at all, even from the bench. Ajola & Landers are way ahead of him.
‘One swallow does not a Summer make’. Yes he played well against Leeds. Other than that he has been bad when brought on, both ineffective and selfish and he lost us the Chelsea game. He has played exactly as I said he would when a transfer was being talked up and should never have been signed.
Hardly a mystery
Booo 👎👎
Grumpy Barry. Come on then mate . . . give me the headline you’d like 😉
I feel he should be used a lot more. Like most I didn’t rate him but he has shown he ain’t that bad. It would help give either winger a rest and is fast and would probably occupy 2 defenders. He should have come on Saturday and not Potts
As everyone has said before, he does not defend, but he also gives the ball away too easily in dangerous areas, so he cannot have any defensive responsibilities. Otherwise he could be a straight swap for Bowen, but Bowen tracks back and helps KWP, progresses the ball out of defence and then is a threat up front.
He was great against Leeds, could have had some assists. I think it was that game he was on the left instead of Summerville and perhaps this is best place for him. As a RW he gets easily guided off, running head down off to the corner flag then dispossessed, or they double-up (Cuccurela Chelsea), but on the LW he cuts inside onto his right and caused real problems at Leeds.
Also on the right WHU have Soucek as DM, but he defends the penalty box and cannot cover for Traore. On the left there are Fernandes & Diouf. Tough for them, but they are better able to cover and perhaps also to combine with him effectively. Diouf, Fernandes, Traore sounds pretty good, but so it goes with Summerville.
So LW in my opinion, or upfront centrally with 3 or 4 across midfield to help cover again.
I think that is why do not see more of him, because cannot just be a straight swap for Bowen because Bowen does so much. Would like to see him come on more and repeat his play against Leeds though, it just takes a bit of figuring out, because do not want to open up WHU to counters because of it.
Play him instead of the dreadful Pablo
he doesn’t even look back to see if defense is required
he always looks otherwise engaged😊