---
title: "“A machine”: West Ham defender continues praise for new teammate"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/03/09/el-hadji-malick-diouf-on-axel-disasi-west-ham-form/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Bottomley"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-03-09T07:05:00Z"
modified: "2026-03-09T07:05:00Z"
---

# “A machine”: West Ham defender continues praise for new teammate

West Ham United are looking to continue their momentum as they host Brentford on Monday night in the FA Cup. [The Hammers beat Fulham 1-0 on Wednesday night](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/04/fulham-0-1-west-ham-premier-league-26/) to close the gap to safety and [bring them level with Nottingham Forest in 17th](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/west-ham-survival-situation-gameweek-29/).

[Nuno Espirito Santo’s team](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/west-ham-vs-brentford-fa-cup-nuno-pre-match-26/) have had a strong turnaround since the beginning of 2026, with the Iron’s new recruits being a big part of that. [Axel Disasi](https://readwestham.com/2026/02/22/west-ham-axel-disasi-on-performances/), who joined on-loan from [Chelsea](https://readchelsea.com/), has played every game since joining the club, and has been a hit with his teammates. El Hadji Malick Diouf has joined in on the praise for his fellow defender when talking to [the club’s official website](https://www.whufc.com/en/news/diouf-or-axel-disasi-is-a-machine):

*“The guy is not a small player!”* Diouf smiled. *“He played for Chelsea, so he knows the league. It was crazy he stayed for such a long time and he didn’t play, but when he came here, he showed that he’s a machine!*

*“I’m really happy for him. He’s a good defender and I think he helped us a lot.”*

## West Ham’s defensive unit

It’s not just Disasi who has been key in turning the ship that is [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/) around. The big key to the Hammers turn in form has been the defence. [Paco Jemez](https://readwestham.com/2026/02/26/paco-jemez-west-ham-revival/) reunited with Nuno in late January and has overseen four clean sheets, arguably making [Konstantinos Mavropanos](https://readwestham.com/2026/02/20/west-ham-konstantinos-mavropanos-on-jarrod-bowen/) and [Jean-Clair Todibo](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/05/jean-clair-todibo-west-ham-fulham-win/) find their best form at the club.

Diouf has not understated the impact of Jemez, stating he has helped the group get better:

*“It’s because the work here, the work we do at training with the gaffer and Paco,”* he explained. “*They are doing a really good job because, especially Paco, he’s helped us a lot as defenders.*

*“So, we are doing well at training and it’s then that on the pitch, we have to show it, stay together, play as a team. It’s what we build and right now, I think we are really compact.*

*“We are now not a simple team, but a family and we are playing together.”*

## Momentum matters

With West Ham beating Fulham on Wednesday, the team are in a really good position to push on in their survival fight. This week, [the Hammers face Brentford in the FA Cup](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/07/west-ham-vs-brentford-preview-prediction-26/), knowing full well a defeat could throw off their momentum as they return to Premier League action next weekend.

*“I think now we are happy, but we have to keep going because the job is not done,”* he confirmed. *“We know what we have to do, so we stay focused and try to make the same performance against Manchester City.*

*“West Ham don’t deserve this place. I was talking to one of my friends and I told him we have a really good squad, really good players, so the situation, I don’t understand.*

*“But I know every moment we can change it and now we start to change. I know, I know the team, I know the players and we have a really good squad, so I think we can change it and I know we are going to do the job. It’s our goal.”*