Frank McAvennie delighted to see Ogbonna back in West Ham training
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 is delighted to see defender Angelo Ogbonna back in training at West Ham ahead of Sunday’s clash with Leicester.
Ogbonna, 32, has missed the last seven Premier League matches with an ankle injury but eagle-eyed Hammers fans noticed the Italian centre-back was training with the rest of the group ahead of playing Leicester at the London Stadium this weekend.
It remains to be seen whether or not Ogbonna will be fit enough to be included in David Moyes’ squad for the third-versus-fourth showdown but McAvennie is still happy to see the manager’s defensive options have been bolstered.
“Of course it will [be great to have Ogbonna back],” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“The more defenders you have fighting for places the better because I thought it was going to be another one against Wolves – 3-0 up and they claw us back. I was frightened of that.
“But the boys got the result and the two goals [scored by Wolves] will be forgotten about. But you need some big players in there.
“They’re putting their bodies on the line and they’re doing alright but getting the big man back will be great. It will be great for the goalkeeper as well. [Lukasz Fabianski] must like having him in front of him.”
In the seven games Ogbonna has missed due to his recent injury, West Ham have conceded nine goals and kept two clean sheets.
Craig Dawson and Issa Diop have done great jobs while Ogbonna has recovered but with five goals shipped in their last two matches, it is starting to look as though the former Torino man is needed back.
Whether he’s needed back to start or just needed back to apply some pressure on Dawson and Diop remains to be seen but the Hammers’ defensive numbers haven’t looked as great in their last couple of games as they have done all season.
Leicester could throw more spanners into the works on Sunday through players like James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and in-form Kelechi Iheanacho.
Let’s hope Moyes’ defence can keep those attackers at bay and get another three points in the bid to qualify for the Champions League.
In other West Ham news, McAvennie has predicted the game against Leicester.