As the 2014/15 season draws to a close, it’s a story of ‘what could have been’ for most Hammers fans after their remarkable start to the season, where at Christmas time they were in and around the Champions League qualification places, with Tottenham Hotspur a few points behind.
Although the second half of the season capitulation was very disappointing, it was no surprise that a smaller West Ham squad would eventually fell away to mid-table, with Spurs currently eleven points ahead, in a Europa League position with two games left.
However, although that gap suggests Tottenham are still a much better side, my combined eleven between the two clubs suggests that there may not be a lot in it at all.
I’ve put the team together using a 4-3-3 formation. Let’s have a look.
Goalkeeper:
Hugo Lloris, Spurs (33 apps, 48 conceded, 7 clean sheets)
Although Adrian (36 apps, 43 conceded, 9 clean sheets) has had an excellent season for the Hammers and was many a fans choice for Hammer Of The Year, Hugo Lloris has again proved himself to be one of the very best keepers in the Premier League again this term. The French International Captain is a specialist at coming quickly off his line as a ‘Sweeper Keeper’ and is being closely watched by PSG and even Manchester United, should David De Gea move to Real Madrid this summer.
Right-Back:
Carl Jenkinson, West Ham (30 apps, 2 assist, 0 goals)
On-loan from Arsenal, the club will be desperately keen to snap him up again for next season after an excellent season. For me he is ahead of Kyle Walker (15 apps, 0 assists, 0 goals) of Spurs as a challenger for Nathaniel Clyne’s England shirt. Walker has had injury problems and his performances have been inconsistent. Jenkinson’s much better reliability gets him the nod.
Left-Back
Aaron Cresswell, West Ham (36 apps, 2 goals, 4 assists)
No contest. Hammer Of The Year and in some people’s PFA team of the year, Cresswell’s first season in the Premier League has been highly impressive. Strangely overlooked in England’s latest squad by manager Roy Hodgson in favour of Spurs decent option Danny Rose (27 apps, 2 goals, 5 assists).
Centre-backs
Winston Reid, West Ham (28 apps, 1 goal)
Many a Hammers fan will say that James Tomkins (21 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists) has been the clubs best centre-back this season. Whilst that may be true, the class of Reid means he is still the main man overall and it was vital when he signed his new contract with Spurs themselves sniffing around.
Jan Vertonghen, Spurs (30 apps, 1 goal)
Top class performer on his day but can frequently look disinterested with continual speculation on transfer moves abroad. Still, he is head and shoulders the best centre-back at Spurs with the continuing struggles of Fazio (18 apps), Chiriches (10 apps), Kaboul (11 apps) and young Dier (26 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist) finding his way in the Premier League. James Collins (26 apps) was West Ham’s other option.
Central midfield
Cheikhou Kouyate, West Ham (29 apps, 4 goals, 3 assists)
No contest. An all action beast of a midfielder who showed he was just as good in central defence on a couple of occasions. Already a fans favourite after his first season and may be hard to keep hold of for the club in the summer.
Alex Song, West Ham (26 apps, 0 goals, 2 assists)
A sensational first half of the season, whose second half dipped alarmingly alongside the teams results. On loan from Barcelona and one of the very best defensive midfielders in the league on his day, it’s such a shame that that ‘day’ didn’t happen enough. Whilst the young options of Bentaleb (24 apps, 0 goals, 2 assists) and Mason (29 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists) have had solid seasons for Spurs and have a bright future, they fall short of getting in this team alongside Dembele (24 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist) as does the experience of Noble (27 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists) and Nolan (28 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist) from West Ham.
Attacking midfield
Christian Eriksen, Spurs (36 apps, 10 goals, 2 assists)
No contest. Easily the most dangerous attacking midfield player on either side. Has scored many a late goal to give his side crucial points and is a master from dead ball situations. You get the feeling there is still a lot more to come from him as well. Stewart Downing (35 apps, 5 goals, 8 assists) had his best start to a season in years at the top of the midfield diamond for West Ham, supplying many assists and chipping in with goals too, but fell away badly after Christmas and isn’t quite in the Dane’s class.
Right-forward
Diafra Sakho, West Ham (23 apps, 10 goals, 2 assists)
Although most of his goals came as a central striker, he showed regularly that he could do an excellent shift out wide on occasions when needed because of his high work rate. He is a better alternative to Townsend (16 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists) or Lamela (31 apps, 2 goals, 6 assists) of Tottenham in this position and as a genuine goal scorer can come off the right and join in to help the central striker. Morgan Amalfitano (23 apps, 3 goals, 1 assist) filled this position on quite a few occasions for the Hammers.
Left-forward
Nacer Chadli, Spurs (33 apps, 10 goals, 5 assists)
Has provided a very good number of goals from the wide positions this season. Can be inconsistent which stops him from being a top player. Improved since last season and Spurs fans will be looking for him to improve further next term. Enner Valencia (30 apps, 4 goals, 4 assists) has had a very promising first season at Upton Park and whilst his best position is as part of a front two with Sakho, he has provided a good option on either wing. He needs to improve physically and add more goals to his tally, but there is a lot of potential there for next season.
Centre-forward
Harry Kane, Spurs (32 apps, 20 goals, 5 assists)
No one could argue about this selection in the team. The man nicknamed ‘The Hurricane’ has set the Premier League alight this season and looks to have all the tools to become the complete centre-forward. Next year promises to be more difficult for the Chingford boy as expectations rise on young shoulders, but I feel he will take it all in his stride. Andy Carroll (14 apps, 5 goals, 1 assist) remains an important player for The Hammers but growing concerns about injury record are increasing and he desperately needs an injury free season in 2015/16. Other options for Spurs were Soldado (22 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist), Adebayor (13 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist) and for West Ham, Cole (21 apps, 2 goals)
So there we have it. My combined eleven has produced six West Ham players to Tottenham’s five, which is a definite improvement on previous years for the boys from East London.
However it is clear that the difference lies with the two match winners at Spurs in Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, two players that can go to the very top of the game. A twenty goal a season striker is gold dust and the hope is that Sakho and Valencia can raise their games further next year and that Carroll can stay fit. A creative midfielder is a must this summer to supply that ammunition. Spurs problems continue to lie at the back, which again needs to be addressed and both sides will also be desperate to keep hold of their star players. Spurs could spend big, will West Ham be able to do the same? An interesting summer lies ahead.
