Athletic reporter backs polarising West Ham ace to win fans over ‘quickly’
West Ham were a side transformed yesterday.
The Hammers pulled Bournemouth limb from limb at the London Stadium in David Moyes’ first game back at the helm, and they looked vastly improved on the lacklustre displays that gad become the norm under Manuel Pellegrini.
The Scot made a number of subtle changes that yielded notable results, none more so than the more advanced position given the full-back Ryan Fredericks.
The defender picked up just his second assist of the season with a cross for Sebastien Haller’s stunning finish, and he looked much brighter from the outset.
Writing in a piece for The Athletic, West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas said: “The biggest frustration with Fredericks is that for a player who has pace to burn he should be providing a lot more assists. Last season, although injuries restricted his appearances, he did not provide one.
“Against Bournemouth, he crossed for Haller to score his volley and Harry Wilson, who operated on the flank for Bournemouth, was withdrawn at half-time, such was his failure against Fredericks. His replacement, Ryan Fraser, also struggled. The right-back came close to providing another assist when he curled in a cross for Lanzini and his close-range header was saved by Aaron Ramsdale.
“The 27-year-old was pushed further forward by Moyes, compared with how Pellegrini used him against Leicester, to utilise his speed on the outside. He polarises opinion but if he can repeat this performance consistently, fans will be quickly won over.”
It’s hard to argue with that assessment.
Fredericks has one of the most precious commodities in the modern game at his disposal, pace, and yet he hasn’t always been given the opportunity to properly utilise it.
Now, however, in a more free role, he should have plenty of chances to do so.
He managed two key passes and a successful dribble against the Cherries, as per Whoscored, his highest total for those stats since October 5th against Crystal Palace.
Hopefully Moyes can unleash the defender’s full potential.
In other news, West Ham co-owner David Gold drools over ‘magnificent’ Hammer on Twitter.