Former West Ham United winger Matt Jarvis claims he’s not worried about the club’s predicament, having seen the turnaround since January and, in particular has highlighted the winter transfer window additions as being pivotal to the Hammers’ fortunes turning around.
Jarvis was part of Sam Allardyce’s relegation-threatened Hammers in 2013/14 and knows only too well the challenges in climbing out of the relegation zone: His West Ham side were close to the bottom at Christmas but ended the season safe with 40 points and clearly he expects this season to end the same way.
Whilst the headlines have been grabbed by Crysencio Summerville’s electrifying form, Jarvis looks a little deeper and suspects the arrival of loanee Axel Disasi has had a massive impact on results but more importantly on his team mates and has been the surprising catalyst for clean sheets galore and the steadying of the ship – just in time – at London Stadium.
Speaking to the express.co.uk, Jarvis has noticed the “Disasi effect’ running through the Hammers’ defence.
“Disasi’s been outstanding since he’s come in,” Jarvis says. “I think he’s been a revelation, really, with regards to a player that hasn’t been playing, desperate to prove himself as well.
Mavropanos’ performances have improved alongside Chelsea colossus Axel Disasi
“To come into a team that was maybe struggling a little bit defensively, he’s come in and he’s been so solid and then whoever’s been partnered next to him has really benefitted from his composure, his athleticism. That’s a huge part of being able to stay in the league first and foremost but to actually have a solid base at the back, and he’s been instrumental in that.“
First Mavropanos and latterly Jean Clair Todibo have benefitted from Disasi’s solidity: The duo have stepped up hugely since the loanee’s arrival and much to their credit, neither now look out of place alongside the Chelsea colossus.
Which one will get the nod from Nuno tonight is hard to predict – Todibo was preferred in the last Premier League fixture and is fresher, without having played on Monday night.