West Ham United may have won their first three points of the season against Watford at the weekend, but some fans are still finding ways to criticise the players.
The Hammers won 3-1 at Vicarage Road, thanks to Sebastien Haller’s second-half brace, but one player, in particular, didn’t please those watching.
Ryan Fredericks has been a popular subject of debate so far this season, with some questioning his Premier League prowess.
His doubters were boosted on Saturday though, as he managed to complete just one tackle in the victory, and plenty went onto social media to announce their disapproval.
Twitter: @hammers_chat Makes too many mistakes for me.
Not just basing it on yesterday’s game. He seems too lack composure… https://t.co/qP0sRt6OyA (@RockyWhu)
Twitter: @hammers_chat shaky, everything he touched went to pot. He really looks like he’s lacking in confidence. My issue w… https://t.co/a0r5M1QXe8 (@MrMML1)
Twitter: @hammers_chat Was involved a lot but just can not provide quality. He miss judges tackles, over hits crosses and ov… https://t.co/JPI0X7uweH (@finley_mclellan)
Twitter: @hammers_chat Woeful. Made one good tackle but crossing was awful, lost the ball at least 3 times in dangerous posi… https://t.co/SDVcmmP2BH (@georgelewiss97)
Twitter: @hammers_chat I thought he had 3+ howlers which could have lead to goals! (@wigchop)
READ WEST HAM’S VERDICT
With Fredericks still attracting a mixed jury and Pablo Zabaleta in his last season at the club, the answer to fans’ right-back dilemma could be closer to home than widely thought.
The answer? Ben Johnson. The 19-year-old is ready to break into the first team and I’m hoping he gets the chance to show what he can do against Newport County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
He’s got so much talent, it could be another case of Declan Rice. If Manuel Pellegrini gives him the platform to impress as a teenager, he could become a crucial part of his plans.
I’m not suggesting Johnson comes in and starts week-in-week-out, because I personally feel the criticism of Fredericks is harsh, but he should certainly be given a chance against Newport.
