As ever Slaven is waiting on Andy Carroll's fitness and quite possibly a verdict in Jarndyce and Jarndyce. So it looks like West Ham will be starting with Jonathan Calleri up front against Spurs even if Carroll makes the bench.
It was interesting to watch Calleri's performance from behind the goal at Stoke. Early on Calleri hit a good chance over the bar. But physically he was pretty good up against a pair of bruisers like Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi. He showed good strength to shield the ball and find his man in the move that lead to Ayew's overhead kick being brilliantly saved by Butland. Calleri also did well to get down the right and play in a dangerous cross that rebounded back to the Argentine striker, only for him to bizarrely try to score with a rabona. Well, at least it shows he's confident… In the second half it was Calleri's mishit volley that fell to Lanzini, whose effort was saved by Butland's feet.
So Calleri put himself about a bit and did a decent job for the team, without ever looking like a natural goalscorer. if we had Carroll and Sakho fit he's the sort of player who might benefit from a loan to a Championship side. Might it be different if he gets a goal to boost his confidence? At the moment it seems if you're fit you get a game up front for West Ham. So we have to hope that Bilic's faith in Calleri is finally rewarded.
2 comments:
I hope he comes good but I just can't see it happening. He looks way out of his depth. Maybe playing one up front doesn't suit him. That's what did for Valencia who looked ok paired with Sahko.
He's not looked up to PL standard earlier this season, but some limited signs of improvement recently. He looks better when Ayew sticks alongside him. Though long term we need a new strike force that stays fit...
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