Which of these West Ham players deserve this award the most?

Before the season started, if you were to ask any West Ham fan that with eight games remaining of the season, the Hammers would be sitting in ninth and still have a slight chance of making the Europa League for next season, many would have settled for that.

After the disappointment of the 2013/2014 campaign, the east Londoners have secured valuable and well deserved victories against last season’s champions and runners up Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.

Manager Sam Allardyce has said on numerous occasions that this is his best player recruitment season as manager he has ever had. The Upton Park outfit have not fallen out of the top half of the table since September, and have very rarely put in a bad performance this season.

So, here are the five main contenders for the Hammer of the Year award at the end of the season, an award that has been won by the likes of Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Bobby Moore and Carlos Tevez…

Click on Big Sam to reveal

Carl Jenkinson

The right-back has given Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a massive headache for next season; who to choose as his first choice right back, Jenko or Mathieu Debuchy.

Based on his performances while on loan at Upton Park, the Hammers shouldn’t give Wenger that inevitable headache by doing everything in their power to sign Jenkinson on a permanent basis.

Despite questions being asked why West Ham signed a full back that wasn’t playing regular first team football, Jenkinson has certainly answered the critics with some stellar displays in the Hammers back four.

It’s baffling how Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker was picked in the latest England squad ahead of Jenkinson.
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Diafra Sakho

When was the last time West Ham had a prolific striker amongst their ranks? Many thought it would be Andy Carroll, but for obvious reasons that hasn’t been the case.

Diafra Sakho’s 12 goals this season is just one of the reasons why there has been huge improvement in the Boleyn Ground set up.

When he was signed in August for £4m, many Hammers thought that Sakho could become another flop like Modibo Maiga.

Being the Hammers’ top scorer in his first season in the Premier League after playing the majority of his football in the second tier of French football with FC Metz is some achievement, and has definitely made his price tag an absolute bargain.

Sakho won the October Barclays Player of the Month award after notching six consecutive goals. That’s why he’s a serious contender for the Hammer of the Year award.
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Cheikhou Kouyate

Whether it’s in the centre of midfield or at the heart of the defence, Cheikhou Kouyate has quite simply been a revelation for West Ham this season.

His powerful presence, tall stature, aggression and ability on the ball reminds a lot of people of Patrick Vieira in his pomp. The former Anderlecht powerhouse won West Ham’s Player of the Month award in his first four weeks with the club, as well as picking the Goal of the Month and Player of the Month again in February, mainly for his displays against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The versatile Senegalese was brought to East London to replace Mohammed Diame, and you can certainly see why.
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Mark Noble

Can the Canning Town born midfielder pick up the award for a third time? The consistant level of performances is something to admire from a player who simply loves the club he supports.

Recently, Nobes put pen to paper on a new long term contract which will keep him at the Hammers until 2022. The hard working midfielder has served the club with distinction since breaking into the first team fold in a League Cup game against Southend United in 2004.

Now West Ham’s longest serving Premier League player, Noble is right in contention to be crowned the Hammer of the Year for a third time.

To say that Noble should be picked for England is an understatement.
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Aaron Cresswell

Currently the favourite to take the Hammer of the Year crown, Cresswell has not missed a minute of action for West Ham, simply because he has been outstanding.

It’s astonishing to think that four years ago, Cresswell was plying his trade in League One with Tranmere Rovers. Last season saw Cresswell be named in the Championship Team of the Year with Ipswich Town and was voted the Portman Road’s Play of the Year in his first season with the club.

It’s like he’s never left Premier League football, and his goal he took against Newcastle United caps it all off. The way he attacks the left wing is truly phenomenal, and his defensive work is just as eye catching.

There’s no doubt that Cresswell is the favourite for the crown, and Roy Hodgson should fundamentally take a look what all the fuss is about for this fantastic left back.

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