Exclusive: McAvennie claims consistency key to Balbuena form at West Ham
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie claims David Moyes’ consistent team selection has been vital to Fabian Balbuena’s impressive form in the West Ham defence this season.
Balbuena, 29, was an unused substitute for the first two matches of the Premier League season but has since played every minute of every league game in a back-three alongside Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell.
Last season, the Paraguay international was in and out of the team for both Manuel Pellegrini and Moyes with his longest run in the starting line-up lasting eight league matches.
However, the former Corinthians defender looks transformed this term and McAvennie claims that is down to consistency.
“I knew how good he was. I knew he was a decent player,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“It must be the same for centre-halves but you feel most comfortable when you’re playing every week.
“I know what it was like to play up front when the manager’s chopping and changing with someone else playing beside you. You don’t mind but you’ve got to get used to them and have a relationship. That way you know what he’s going to do and I think it must be the same for centre-halves.
“I think the biggest thing Balbuena has got is that he’s getting regular game-time with the same people beside him.
“I keep coming back to it but I think they’re getting worked on. [Stuart] Pearce will be working on the defence. It’s repetition, repetition.
“If someone comes in and someone gets injured, they just step into it because they’re all training together.”
According to stats by WyScout, Balbuena ranks fifth in the Premier League for the percentage of defensive duels won this season [74.58%]. He’s also 10th for interceptions made per 90 minutes [6.84].
Balbuena’s come on a lot this season but so have Ogbonna and Cresswell beside him.
Although West Ham tasted defeat at the weekend when they lost to Manchester United, it’s still been an encouraging start to the campaign and the side’s defensive record has played a major role in that.
In other West Ham news, the Irons could target ex-Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen in January.