West Ham United: Danny Ings could kickstart run for Europa League qualification
Frank McAvennie has insisted that the form of Danny Ings could kickstart the form of West Ham to charge up the league in a bid for Europa League qualification.
Ings came off the bench to score a 91st-minute equaliser against Burnley at the London Stadium, receiving high praise for his impact.
The former West Ham man shared his view that the striker could thrive given the talent around him, while also allowing Jarrod Bowen more freedom in a different role.
McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – thought Ings’ performance against Burnley was “great” and a result of the change of style under David Moyes.
“That’s what happens when you’re not playing counter-attacking. If you’re playing on the counter-attack, he can’t play that way,” McAvennie shared.
“Playing with who we’ve got in the middle and up front, I think he’s a good player. We’ve never said he isn’t a good player, he just wasn’t a West Ham player.
“Now they’re playing the way they should play, he looks great. It’s freeing up Bowen as well, then you can get Antonio back in.
“We could make a run in these last ten games, get up in the Europa League again. Have a great run and finish sixth again, that’s a great season.“
Danny Ings thrives for West Ham v Burnley
The striker changed the game when he came on against Burnley, and the form of West Ham could shoot up as a result of the increased options both in terms of the starting XI and the style of play as McAvennie pointed out.
It seemed to all the world that Ings’ time at the London Stadium would come to an end in January amid interest from Premier League sides Wolves and Crystal Palace, although no move materialised and he remained in East London.
With the Hammers struggling for options up front after failing to bring anybody in in January, Jarrod Bowen has been the main choice to lead the line, but a resurgent Ings, as McAvennie shared, could allow him to drift back out wide.
Having several options in each position is crucial to changing the game and style of play, as Ings proved against Burnley, and if Moyes can adapt to Ings’ strengths, it will do his West Ham side no end of good as we head towards the key stages of the season.
In other West Ham news, Garth Crooks also gushed over Ings’ display.
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