Garth Crooks gushes over West Ham United duo Danny Ings and Declan Rice for BBC Sport
Garth Crooks named West Ham United duo Danny Ings and Declan Rice in his Premier League Team of the Week for BBC Sport. (26 February)
The BBC Sport pundit hailed Ings’ “brilliantly improvised” finishing in the game against Nottingham Forest, one which saw the Hammers run out 4-0 winners on the day.
Crooks also applauded Rice’s outing for West Ham United admitting he doesn’t see the reason why the maestro doesn’t score more goals.
“I was delighted Declan Rice’s efforts these past few weeks were rewarded with a goal against Forest and what a goal – I don’t see why Rice doesn’t score more. He gets into great positions but seems to lack the same confidence in front of goal he clearly demonstrates in every other part of the pitch,” said Crooks as quoted by BBC Sport. (27 February)
“As far as strikers go, you don’t get many more natural finishers than Ings. He might not have the legs of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins or the desire of current West Ham team-mate Michail Antonio, but he will score you goals and that’s precisely what his side need right now. Both goals by Ings against Forest were brilliantly improvised, almost scruffy.
“However, when you are down at the bottom of the table fighting for survival, none of that matters and that is why the Hammers must persevere with Ings until his goals dry up.
“Goals come in bunches for strikers and I sense a few more are left in Ings before the end of this season.”
That’s more like it.
Hammers have been waiting for a performance like that for a while and the team looked back to their very best against a smart Forest outfit.
West Ham United dominated throughout with stand-out performers like Rice and Ings playing their part in a convincing home victory.
Moyes has faced heavy criticism recently for his tactics and stale brand of football, however, starting Ings in the clash seems to have been a masterstroke.
If the Irons can keep the English forward fit, he will be pivotal towards the team’s Premier League survival with the striker looking like he has plenty left in the tank.
Michail Antonio also got on the goal sheet, a pleasant sight for fans and something that will give the out-of-form forward a load of confidence.
Are things finally starting to look brighter at the London Stadium? If performances can carry on in this vein, then they certainly might be.