Darren Bent has upset plenty of West Ham United supporters this week by publicly criticising Ryan Fredericks and practically claiming that he isn’t good enough for the Premier League.
There have been masses of overreaction following West Ham’s opening day defeat to Manchester City – in which Fredericks started – and Bent has since said he doesn’t understand why Pablo Zabaleta didn’t play instead.
These fans agree with the former Tottenham Hotspur striker’s comments, stating that the Premier League may be too high a level for him:
Twitter: @whuaIan Bent is 100% correct on Fredericks. Yes we all want him to do well, but premier league is a level too far… https://t.co/2NynQ6w06R (@Adam_MC1R)
Twitter: @ReadWestHam @AlexTurkRS Spot on, he’s definitely not good enough. As well as our other 3 full backs. (@alexjg0)
Twitter: @ReadWestHam @AlexTurkRS Ha! Anyone following me knows my position on this. Dude is 26. How much more time does he need? (@1westhamfan)
Others were supportive of Fredericks though, unleashing rants towards Bent:
Twitter: @bennyboywhfc Needs time to develop but he has the ability to be a top half Premier League player. He’s not enterin… https://t.co/urabU4AVqp (@whuaIan)
Twitter: @ReadWestHam @AlexTurkRS We don’t listen to failed so called footballers hate going to hate (@Hammer50_WBA)
Twitter: @ReadWestHam @AlexTurkRS If ever anyone knew who wasn’t good enough for the Premier League it’s Darren Bent. (@kelly_mart52)
READ WEST HAM’S VERDICT
Fredericks maybe 26 years old, but he’s still learning his trade in the Premier League, a division that you wouldn’t be silly to say is the toughest in the world.
Not one player was exactly poured in glory during that 5-0 thumping, but fans must get off his back and support him for future games. If he pulls off a great performance against Brighton, I can guarantee the criticism will disappear.
Bent’s comments, for me, seem very reactionary and Fredericks does have what it takes to mould into a top-flight player.
