Whilst most concentrated on Mads Hermansen’s inability to make saves during West Ham’s 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, it allowed somebody else to escape the glare of criticism. That player was Manor Solomon, because, to put it frankly, he was awful when coming on as a substitute to replace Edvin Austbø at Ewood Park.
The Israeli international has been shocking for West Ham recently, ironically since the last round of international fixtures in September and October, when he represented his country four times and returned to East London looking completely knackered. His performances have deteriorated to the point where I struggle to see what he’s currently offering the team.
We now find ourselves in the rather strange situation where, with West Ham entering another international break, we’re hoping Solomon can go away with Israel and somehow regain some form. Because as things stand, he is simply not a viable option in the current West Ham team.
Scott Parker Has Inherited A Different Manor Solomon
No doubt West Ham manager Scott Parker, being something of a Championship expert, would have had reasonably positive opinions of Solomon, having witnessed him tearing up the division for Leeds United during their promotion season. However, he’ll have been left in no illusion that the version of Solomon he’s inherited since replacing Nuno Espírito Santo is a long way from that player.
Solomon stunk the place out in the first half against Cardiff City before being substituted, and when introduced in place of Austbø against Blackburn, he made the team noticeably worse. It’s particularly frustrating because Austbø had looked lively and dangerous, offering the directness and attacking intent that Solomon currently seems unable to provide.
Nuno Espírito Santo pushed hard for the signing of Manor Solomon
It’s important to remember that, whilst West Ham haven’t spent a fortune bringing him in, Solomon was signed for a reported £5 million precisely because he was supposed to guarantee goals and assists in a Championship team. Unfortunately, that looks a long way off at present, and the attacking contribution we expected simply hasn’t materialised consistently enough.
West Ham Must Hope International Duty Revives Solomon
Solomon has been called up by Israel for two UEFA Nations League fixtures during the November international break. He will face Kosovo away on Saturday 14 November before Israel take on Austria in Debrecen, Hungary, on Tuesday 17 November.
The winger also featured in all four of Israel’s September and October Nations League matches, so another spell of international football is hardly guaranteed to leave him refreshed. Nevertheless, West Ham and Scott Parker will be hoping those two games can kick-start Solomon into something approaching his previous form.
There is clearly a talented Championship player in there, as he demonstrated during his time at Leeds. But the player who was supposed to provide West Ham with goals, assists and attacking quality is currently struggling to make any meaningful impact.
Parker has the international break to work with much of his squad, but Solomon will be away with Israel rather than spending that time on the training pitch with his new manager. Perhaps a change of environment and a couple of international appearances will do him some good, because West Ham desperately need the Manor Solomon who helped Leeds win promotion, not the one we’ve been watching recently.