David Moyes and West Ham picked up a big three points against Southampton on Saturday.
The Hammers beat the Saints 3-1, with the win now pulling them out of the relegation zone and into 16th place. Jarrod Bowen, Sebastien Haller and Michail Antonio were all on the scoresheet in a match which saw them take the game to their opponents – they had seven shots on target to two.
It was game that was full of positives for the London outfit, but Moyes will likely have been worried by the display of Jeremy Ngakia. After playing the full 90 minutes against Liverpool, the 19-year-old was named once again at right-back, but against the south-coast side he was well out of his depth.
There was very little that went the teenager’s way. He did make eight clearances, but he was dribbled past on four separate occasions and won a worrying two from 12 duels.
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He also handed over possession 22 times, which was the second-worst amongst his teammates and, despite having 53 touches of the ball, he completed just five passes – that equated to a success ratio of just 27%.
In all fairness, this was just the youngster’s third-ever start for the club after appearing against the Reds earlier this campaign as well. He has been brought into the side to replace veteran right-back Pablo Zabaleta, who has been on the bench instead in the last two matches.
Right-back has been something of a problem for Moyes so far this term. Zabaleta is clearly not a player he is comfortable with right now, which is why he has spent the majority of the season amongst the substitutes. The 58-time Argentina international has been far from convincing when he has been in the side – the Hammers have failed to win any match he has started this season.
Ryan Fredericks would usually be the first-choice – he has played 20 times this campaign – but he will not be available for the next six weeks after having surgery to his shoulder. That means that his vacant role is one that needs to be filled for a while longer yet – the problem is, neither of the two alternative options have yet staked a real claim.
Yes, Ngakia is young and is learning his craft, but with West Ham still in a relegation battle, they need someone they can rely on. It is an issue that Moyes must look to resolve as soon as possible – otherwise, it may end up costing the Irons.
Elsewhere, this Liverpool target with “incredible technique” has received rave reviews.