Frank McAvennie: Lingard impact at West Ham has helped raise Fornals’ game
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 Pablo Fornals has started to stand out at West Ham because of Jesse Lingard’s impact in the team and at training.
Fornals, 25, has returned to David Moyes’ starting line-up in the last couple of weeks and assisted a goal in the 2-1 win over Tottenham before impressing versus Manchester City despite losing at the Etihad last weekend.
After the 2-1 loss to Man City, we asked our panel of West Ham Super Fans to name their man of the match from the game and Fornals was mentioned a couple of times.
The Spanish playmaker has really started to play well and McAvennie believes that’s down to the impact Lingard has had since he joined on loan from Manchester United in January.
“Fornals and Lingard are different kinds of players,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“I think Fornals has stepped up to the mark since Lingard came because that’s who he’s got to aspire to. He’s an England international and he’s played really well.
“Every day at training Fornals will be seeing him. He’s a wonderful player, a wonderful talent and he’s good for Fornals.”
McAvennie also claims that Lingard’s form since joining the Irons has helped gel together the rest of Moyes’ attack.
Sebastien Haller left the London Stadium for Ajax in January and Lingard’s arrival, coupled with Michail Antonio’s return from injury, has brought a great cohesion at the top of Moyes’ system.
“They look comfortable now,” McAvennie added.
“Sometimes you’d ping it up to Haller and it was coming back because he wasn’t holding onto it but Fornals, Antonio and Lingard have got this understanding.
“Hopefully, we don’t get any injuries.”
West Ham have to wait until Monday until they’re next in action in the Premier League when they take on Leeds United at the London Stadium.
The Hammers have lost seven Premier League matches this season and all but one of them have been against the top-flight’s traditional ‘big six’ teams.
Leeds have been hard to predict this term due to their inconsistent form but they’re also without a win in London in their last 15 matches.
History and form are on West Ham’s side but, as mentioned, Leeds are one of those teams who can throw a spanner into the works if they’re underestimated.
In other West Ham news, Soucek the super Czech is driving the Irons to Europe.