WHZ View: Can Ogbonna’s defensive displays drive West Ham to Europe?
The change of fortune this season at West Ham is all down to the way in which David Moyes has got his message through to his players.
Moyes has installed a winning mentality at the club, personified by our six-game winning streak in 2021, which sadly came to an end on Sunday.
After playing 21 matches in 2019/20, West Ham found themselves sat in 16th place on 22 points and a goal difference of -8.
Twelve months on, we’re in fifth on 35 points, with a positive goal difference of +4. Our ten league wins is the same as we managed over the entire last season.
We’ve become tactically and defensively sound in 2020/21. The Hammers have one of the best records in the league for defending set pieces, just two conceded. Craig Dawson’s goal against Liverpool now means we’ve scored from 11 set plays, the best in the top-flight.
Moyes brought in Stuart Pearce in the summer as a defensive coach. Pearce had a fantastic club career and represented England at various World Cups and European Championships. He’s been working very well with our defenders.
One player who’s reacted especially well to the new regime is Angelo Ogbonna. The Italian centre half joined from Juventus in 2015. During his six seasons with us, he’s kept immaculate standards.
Since the 2015/16 season, the defender has averaged 85.1% passing accuracy and won 14.57 duels per 90. He’s also made 5.6 interceptions and 10.46 recoveries per match.
This season he’s formed a great partnership with Dawson at the back. Ogbonna has made 127 interceptions, ranking him eighth highest in the league. He’s also in the top ten defenders for ariel duels won, with 94.
Ogbonna has shown excellent leadership skills this campaign. After poor team displays against Chelsea and Brighton, we went on to keep four clean sheets in a row.
Three of those matches were played away from home. We picked up four points at Goodison Park and St Marys whilst proceeding in the FA Cup.
His form has been so good that Ogbonna has worked his way back into the Italian national side. The defender received his first call up for over two years in October, and thoroughly deserved it.
The Italian is more than capable of playing in European club competitions, he’ll be a huge factor if we’re to qualify this season.
In other West Ham news, here’s how the game could be won against Aston Villa.