West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes admits that Valentin Castellanos and Pablo Felipe have not had it easy since joining the club.
Both strikers have impressed with their work rate, although some fans have expressed frustration with their final product.
Still, they combined to great effect as West Ham United beat Wolves 4-0 on Friday night.
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Castellanos bagged a brace, with his first goal teed up with a fine flick from Pablo – who attracted a lot of criticism following a poor performance against Leeds in the FA Cup last week.
Still, they responded in fine fashion on Friday night – and fellow West Ham star Fernandes doesn’t think that should be lost.
Fernandes admits that Taty and Pablo haven’t had it easy at West Ham
Speaking to The Athletic after the game, Fernandes said: “It hasn’t been easy for Taty and Pablo as well. To come to England to play in the Premier League would’ve been difficult for them.
“I felt the same when I came in, so our job is to try to do easy things for them. Taty deserved this because he’s worked very hard.”
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It’s clear that both players have a bit of grit about them, which should make them popular figures here in east London if West Ham do indeed stay up.
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A graphic asking West Ham United fans to rate Taty Castellanos' performance vs Wolves/
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport
If they don’t, the question marks over their genuine quality in front of goal will only increase.
Still, it is almost impossible to imagine West Ham even being in this position without both players.
Callum Wilson might be a more prolific goalscorer but, at this stage of his career, it’s hard to argue that he can offer anything like the energy that Taty and Pablo do.
Taty Castellanos and Pablo during West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
West Ham needed fighters in January and that’s exactly what they’ve got. They may not be the flashiest of players, but that’s not what was required.
Fernandes is right, neither striker has had it easy – but was joining a side battling against relegation halfway through a miserable campaign ever going to be? Almost certainly not.
West Ham United do not tend to get much right in the transfer market, particularly when it comes to purchasing attacking players.
For the very specific situation they find themselves in now, however, it seems as if the club got these deals exactly right.
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