In the past West Ham have been plagued with striker problems, whether that be an inept capability to score goals or just good strikers with reoccurring injuries, forcing them out of action for prolonged spells during the season.
This season is no different. The distinct lack of goals from the Hammers has become infamous with Allardyce’s men, with strikers (when played) seemingly incapable of producing the goods, with only four of 13 goals coming from forwards, including two from the (previously inform) injured Ricardo Vaz Té.
No striker, however, has come under more scrutiny during the 2013/14 campaign than Malian international Modibo Maigä, after showing some very poor and seemingly uninterested performances at the start of a particularly disappointing season for the Irons. Patience was wearing thin amongst the Boleyn faithful, with many fans expressing their displeasure over social networking sites and also voicing their opinions on match days.
In typical East End style, however, when things were looking blue, the Irons, pulled out yet another memorable victory against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with much thanks too the much improved Maigä.
The Hammers had fallen 1-0 down to a wonderful strike from Emmanuel Adebayor on his return to first team action. As the game grew old the score line remained 1-0 to Spurs, with the hope of a change in fortunes for the Irons fading promptly. But with true East End grit, a good spell of possession resulted in two goals in 5 minutes (80-85) courtesy of Matt Jarvis and, inevitably, Maigä.
His recent performances deserved a goal and he had shown a change in attitude on the pitch. One of determination and fight, and he has arguably been one of the best players in recent games for the Hammers. His goal in the dying minutes to secure West Ham a place in the semi finals of the Capital One Cup has surely put the Malian into West Ham folk law.
Furthermore, I believe that Wednesday’s super sub performance could be a changing point in Modibo’s season. With the Hammers faithful behind him and also that critical confidence enforcing goal, it is now that I believe we will see a change in fortunes for the Irons striker.
But despite this, speculation has arisen over his future at the club after the forthcoming January transfer window, with clubs such as Cardiff City and Hull reportedly keeping a close eye on the 26 year old.
For me, letting Maigä go in January would be foolish. He is still acclimatising to life in the Premier League after a very disrupted season of yesteryear and, after the long wait, he has finally been given what seems to be a secure role on the Hammers front line, and is at long last finding his feet.
But I believe he would be particularly effective with a strike partner and, in my opinion, that could well be Ricardo Vaz Tè.
Maigä has the newfound ability of being able to win the ball in the air and along the floor, as well as providing penetrable knock ons to encroaching goal-scorers, a role in which Vaz Tè in particular would thrive. Strength, vision, flare and the ability to finish – the perfect paring?
And so I conclude this article with this; Could Modibo Maigä be a pivotal part in the Hammers’ climb up the ladder? Could things finally be looking up for the boys from E13? And is Modibo Maigä finally going from zero to hero?
Keep the Faith!
