West Ham Defensive Revival: Are the Hammers Becoming Hard to Beat?
Whisper it quietly, but West Ham United might just be becoming hard to beat.
In the last three Premier League games, the Hammers have conceded just a solitary goal. And even that strike was something of a wonder effort, as Benjamin Šeško scored a 96th-minute equaliser that he would struggle to replicate.
At the heart of West Ham’s new Scrooge-like defence has stood Konstantinos Mavropanos, a player who has grown with every passing game this season. Stronger in the tackle, calmer in possession and increasingly vocal, the Greek defender is beginning to look like a leader.
Partnering him has been Axel Disasi, on loan from Chelsea. The Frenchman has immediately improved the back line and will be difficult to dislodge if this run continues.
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Mavropanos put in another committed display against Bournemouth
Hermansen Bringing Authority Between the Posts
And finally, Mads Hermansen has now put together a consistent run of games — and quite frankly, the defence looks more assured as a result.
That’s not to say Alphonse Areola was doing much wrong. But Hermansen’s assured handling and quicker distribution have brought a certainty to the goalkeeper position that perhaps felt missing before.
Hermansen has been between the sticks for the Hammers upturn in form but was quick to praise new recruit Disasi. Speaking to the West Ham media team he said: “I actually asked Axel after the Burnley game when he last played, and when he said it was April I was a bit shocked! He’s brought a lot of stability to the defence, and on the ball as well he is really good. Together with Dinos, I think he’s been amazing.”
There is a cohesion there now. A structure. A resilience.
Of course, that new found resilience will be severely tested at Anfield next weekend, but at least we travel with a bit of hope and some defensive form behind us . . . and we have the statistics to back it up.