October Awards – Our Writers Decide
- Michael Oliver
- @MichaelOIiver
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October is now in the books, and it was a decent month for West Ham.
Three wins from five games player and just one defeat. Progression to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and just three goals conceded in the Premier League. Solid.
West Ham’s change in formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-3 has been the catalyst for this mini-resurgence of late. A more structured and resilient defence is the foundation of West Ham’s recent form.
While our strikers still can’t find the net, we have found ways to win with goals from midfield. Andre Ayew and Aaron Cresswell’s returns were welcome, and with Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho close to comebacks as well, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Who has been deserving of the monthly awards for West Ham in October then? We polled our writers who have given their suggestions for who should win awards such as best goal, best performance and player of the month and here’s what they’ve had to say.
Michael Oliver, Editor
Goal of the Month: Manuel Lanzini vs. Palace
A total team goal. 17 passes in the build up, culminating in Cresswell’s great whipped ball across the box where Lanzini opened his body up to place it beyond Wayne Hennessey – it was truly exquisite.
Save of the Month: Adrian vs. Everton
West Ham were under the cosh at Goodison and Barkley found space and let fly from 12 yards. His goal-bound effort was kept out by Adrian who spread himself and got a strong hand to it, it looked destined for the net. Stunning.
Player Performance of the Month: Winston Reid vs. Crystal Palace
The way he organised the defence at Selhurst Park, especially when we went down to 10 men was outstanding. His leadership saw us home and secured all three points. Got stuck in and won every duel he committed himself to. Back to his best.
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
We dominated the ball early and created a number of first-half chances to put the game to bed. Two great goals gave us the lead and then a resilient defensive effort kept Chelsea at bay. A complete team performance.
Player of the Month: Pedro Obiang
The way he shields the defence enables us to have more attacking, creative players on the pitch. He reads the game brilliantly and is always strong in the challenge both in the air or on the ground. Positionally excellent and always an 8/10 performer.
Joe Brown
Goal of the Month: Dimitri Payet vs. Middlesbrough
This is the Dimitri Payet we know and love. Dancing through 6/11 players on the field, leaving them on their arse, before slotting home. Poetry
Save of the Month: Adrian vs. Everton
Ignoring the outcome of the game, Adrian’s first half save gave West Ham hope. At short range and deflected, he had no right to save it, but he did it with such elegance.
Player Performance of the Month: Winston Reid vs. Crystal Palace
Trialling the 3 at the back that has mostly done well this season, Palace would have comfortably won had it not been for the Kiwi. Composure on the ball and superb tackling have Benteke little hope of scoring
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
A fellow three at the back side, Chelsea were on a high having demolished Man Utd 4-0. But a superb performance from the team, especially Fernandes and Obiang, gave us hope for a cup run.
Player of the Month: Winston Reid
Superb assist for Dimi against ‘Boro, Man of the Match performance against Palace, a Cruyff turn and 90th min winner against Sunderland and a superb game against Chelsea. Leading the back line well and apart from Everton, a near perfect month.
Josh Hardy
Goal of the Month: Edimilson Fernandes vs. Chelsea
A great individual goal from the Swiss youngster when he picked up the ball at the edge of the box from a good pass from Mark Noble, cut inside of his man and drilled it into the bottom left corner of the goal past Asmir Begovic with his weaker foot putting West Ham in a commanding 2-0 lead just after half time.
Save of the Month: Adrian vs Everton
After dominating much of the first half, West Ham had a lapse of concentration and let Ross Barkley through on goal at 0-0 but Adrian came out and showed great reactions when he managed to get his arm up very quickly to block Barkley’s shot which was destined to go in. Although his save couldn’t save West Ham from a 2-0 loss, it was still a great piece of work by the Spaniard.
Player Performance of the Month: Winston Reid vs Sunderland
In a game where it was hard to stay focused on the game as a defender due to our attacking threat, Winston Reid was immense all game, staying focused every time Sunderland countered West Ham by marking former Hammer, Jermaine Defoe, out of the game. Reid’s brilliant performance was rounded off with a fantastic strike in the last seconds of the game to win it for West Ham.
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
Chelsea came into this game after an amazing performance against Manchester United where they won 4-0 but West Ham made them look like the Chelsea of last season with standout performances from Edimilson Fernandes, Cheikhou Kouyate and Michail Antonio who ran the Chelsea defence ragged all game. The whole team performance was great to watch with great work rate being shown to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the EFL Cup.
Player of the Month: Pedro Obiang
All month, Pedro Obiang showed great composure and ability to sure up the midfield which let Cheikhou Kouyate drop to centre back allowing West Ham to play 5-2-2-1 which has proved a great success with 3 wins out of 4 with Pedro Obiang commanding the midfield in that system.
Dean Ammi
Goal of the Month: Dimitri Payet vs. Middlesbrough
Payet’s goal against Middlesbrough came at a time where confidence was rock bottom and it gave both the squad and the crowd the lift that it so desperately needed. Following four straight defeats, a home loss to Boro would’ve had terrible consequences. However, he took the game by the scruff of the neck and dribbled past their entire defence before finishing off a stunning individual goal.
Save of the Month: Adrian vs. Crystal Palace
This save came in the final few minutes of the game at Selhurst Park where the Hammers were down to ten men and defending like beavers. A powerful Conor Wickham header was fantastically tipped over by instinct from the Spaniard and ensured that the team kept their first league clean sheet since August.
Player Performance of the Month: Edimilson Fernandes v Chelsea
The youngster found himself at right wing back in this heated cup match, a big ask for a player who had only made one start in midfield all season. He took to the role brilliantly and capped off a terrific performance with a goal. A real bright spark for the future.
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
This encounter saw the Hammers put in their best performance of the season so far. A bullet header from Kouyate early on got the place rocking & from then it felt like the Olympic Stadium was starting to feel like our new home. Antonio was also brilliant playing up front and caused havoc to their back-line all evening.
Player of the Month: Winston Reid
Winston Reid has been the rock at the back that we have been crying out for following some defensive horror shows at the start of the campaign. Now at the heart of the back three, he was always first to every ball and was instrumental in the two consecutive clean sheets that turned out to be victories. He also chipped in with the winning goal against Sunderland which was a great strike that broke the deadlock.
Dylan Bregman
Goal of the Month: Dimitri Payet vs Middlesbrough
The result was vital for West Ham and after being one goal down Payet turned on the magic and glided past the Middlesbrough defence, twisting and turning he wriggled his way through and after everyone thought he’d overdone it he slipped it back across Victor Valdes’ goal.
Save of the Month: Darren Randolph vs Chelsea
Maybe the save itself wasn’t as good as Adrian’s vs Barkley, however, this, in my opinion, was much more significant. It was within the first 15 minutes of the EFL Cup game against Chelsea and after some poor defending Kante managed to squeeze a shot away. However, a strong palm from Randolph stopped the goal and from then on West Ham went on and got the win!
Performance of the Month: Edimilson Fernandes vs. Chelsea
This is quite easily the performance of the month for me. Fernandes was given the job of playing at right wing back in Bilic’s new system vs Chelsea however it didn’t phase him. He did his job letting nothing past and also managed to score the winning goal! Pure class
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
Once again Chelsea was the game. The team just seemed to pull together and work as a unit for one of the first times. I feel that win could be a real turning point in the Hammers season
Player of the Month: Pedro Obiang
What a man. After not being able to get in the starting XI Obiang is now one of the first names on the team sheet, although he doesn’t score or assist he’s always there to tidy up and our record with him in the team is terrific!
Jonny Gilder
Goal of the Month: Dimitri Payet vs. Middlesbrough
It has to be this one for sure. Not only was this a piece of pure brilliance from our world class talent but it really was the beginning of our revival. Payet’s goal lifted the atmosphere in the stadium and lifted spirits of the team to go on to win three on the bounce.
Save of the Month: Adrian vs. Everton
This was a genuine world class save from a keeper who has been questioned for his performances this season. No doubt Adrian is an excellent shot stopper and he proved it here. Hopefully, this can push him to improve his overall game (and not make us have a nervous break down every time he gets the ball!).
Player Performance of the Month: Pedro Obiang vs. Crystal Palace
Obiang has been somewhat of a fringe player since joining but has forced his way into the side to become a vital component of our team. His performance against Palace symbolised his importance and was a key part of winning that game. There’s a reason why we’ve only lost once this season when Obiang has started.
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
This performance was the West Ham of last season. A performance of skill, exciting football, tactical nous and true grit. Got the stadium rocking and will be remembered by many, unfortunately by some for the crowd trouble that has been over-hyped by the media.
Player of the Month: Winston Reid
A real tough choice between Obiang and Reid but having sung Obiang’s praises already, I’ve gone for Winston Reid as player of the month. Reid finally looks like the player he was a few seasons ago and it’s a huge relief to have a defence of real quality. Reid leads by example and is an excellent organiser and was brilliant throughout October particularly against Sunderland when he scored the winning goal in the 94th minute.
Louis Parr
Goal of the Month: Manuel Lanzini vs. Crystal Palace
This goal was the epitome of the West Ham Way. 17 slick passes, each player only taking two or three touches and capped off with a deft finish by Lanzini. Watching this reminded me of West Ham at their peak last season, and it was exactly what was needed after the awful start to the season.
Save of the Month: Adrian vs. Everton
Granted, he may have been helped by a deflection off Kouyate, but it was still a fantastic piece of work by the Spaniard. If David de Gea had pulled it off, there would already be a statue immortalising it outside of Old Trafford.
Player Performance of the Month: Winston Reid vs. Crystal Palace
A hugely important win for West Ham and Winston Reid was at the centre of it. It was the first game where the Hammers went with three CBs and Reid led them superbly. He pocketed Christian Benteke from the start and provided an impenetrable wall throughout the game.
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
The first London Derby at the London Stadium, and what a game it was. The atmosphere was rocking under the lights and the players gave a performance to match. Their intensity and quality completely outmatched Chelsea and the result didn’t reflect how good the West Ham performance was.
Player of the Month: Pedro Obiang
To go from not needed in the team to one of the first names on the team sheet in the space of a month is some achievement, but that’s what Pedro Obiang achieved in October. He provided the missing link in the underperforming West Ham team and since his inclusion in the starting XI, performances have drastically improved.
Results
Goal of the Month: Dimitri Payet vs. Middlesbrough
Save of the Month: Adrian vs. Everton
Player Performance of the Month: Winston Reid vs. Crystal Palace
Team Performance of the Month: Chelsea (H)
Player of the Month: Pedro Obiang