Player Ratings: Sturm Graz II 0-0 West Ham
- Michael Oliver
- @MichaelOIiver
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West Ham got their pre-season preparations underway this evening when they took on Sturm Graz II as part of a two-match tour of Austria.
This game represented an opportunity for Pablo Zabaleta to make his first appearance for the club and he looked very comfortable.
Youngsters Reece Burke and Nathan Holland both started the first-half and looked promising, prior to a full team change at the interval.
The second half XI showed a bit more urgency in attack and were certainly more direct, but again they were unable to carve out any real chances.
While the Hammers were unable to find the net, it’s great to get minutes under their belts and move forward with the Fulham game on Thursday to come.
Here are our player ratings from today’s game.
Adrian: 7
A quiet half for Adrian but he made one really smart save low to his left to keep it level.
Pablo Zabaleta: 6
Solid debut performance but didn’t offer much going forward and always looked to come inside/backwards.
Reece Burke: 7
Composed and assured on the ball, Burke played a number of great passes into the attacking third and wasn’t afraid to carry the ball forward.
James Collins: 6
Positionally sound but was relatively untested.
Arthur Masuaku: 7
Made several great runs down the left and pushed to get a good delivery into the box. Made a create run and pass for Ayew which he couldn’t finish.
Pedro Obiang: 7
Broke up play well and dictated the tempo excellently as he does.
Mark Noble: 6
Shifted the ball across the park very well.
Nathan Holland: 7
Was bright and positive in the final third. A couple of dangerous runs, with one resulting in a great pass to Ayew but he couldn’t apply the finish.
Robert Snodgrass: 5
Was fed the ball an awful lot but was unable to beat his man and put in an adequate cross often enough.
Andre Ayew: 6
His movement was great and got himself in the positions to score but his finishing let him down.
Ashley Fletcher: 6
Solid movement and hold-up play but was unable to apply the finish when it presented itself.
Darren Randolph: 6
Relatively untested but one shaky moment when his goal-kick cannoned off their striker but safely back into West Ham possession.
Sam Byram: 7
Was positive going forward and was always looking to work the ball forward into the box.
Declan Rice: 7
Like Burke, his range of passing was impressive and composure when under pressure was refreshing to see.
Angelo Ogbonna: 6
Solid outing for Ogbonna who is in need of match fitness after last season’s injury.
Aaron Cresswell: 6
Made some great runs and decent crosses, but was caught offside far too often which brought an end to promising attacks.
Josh Cullen: 7
Distributed the ball excellently and was always looking to pass forward first.
Edimilson Fernandes: 7
Had a bit of a free role in midfield roaming and getting involved in the build up. Carries the ball excellently.
Manuel Lanzini: 6
Probably tried too hard to be the difference-maker at times but you could tell he was genuine quality.
Moses Makasi: 5
Sloppy at times, strayed offside now and again and overall just a very underwhelming display.
Sofiane Feghouli: 6
Couple of attractive runs and flicks to keep attacks going but end product was disappointing.
Toni Martinez: 6
Made some great runs and movement is solid but struggled to carve out any opportunities.