Thursday 26 March 2009

The new Frank Lampard?

Is Collison the real deal, our new Frank Lampard? The thing that strikes me most is the boy's confidence. He WANTS the ball and wants it in key areas. Against Boro at home in the cup he missed a sitter, blasting over when he should have squared to Di Michele or Tristan, but he was there, at the far stick, further forward than any other player, and he had the balls to let fly. Yes the decision to shoot was wrong, but in our side, a player confident enough to shoot is a precious commodity.

Look at him against City. Never mind the finish, and that goal was beautifully taken, look at the run that took him into the box in the first place. Savio is quick but not quick enough to leave Collison in his wake. As Nsureko broke forward, there was Collison bursting through the middle, actually pointing at the space he wanted the ball played into. Savio chose to shoot instead and who was on hand to sniff in the box as Given parried? Not Cole or Di Michele, the guys paid to do that job, but Collison. That sort of awareness, that sort of hunger to get into goal scoring positions, is rare.

Who does it in the modern game? Lampard, Gerrard, Ronaldo, Giggs, Cahill, Ireland, special players because they read the game and somehow take up positions that others don't see. It is as if the ball is drawn to them, they gamble and time and again, unlike Ethers, they back a winner. Now I accept that it might be going too far to say Collison has that knack based on three goals but that is a good return for a 19 year old playing in a goal shy team that doesn't create bucket fulls of chances. Crucially, the kid has key defensive duties in the formation that Zola picks. Look at Behrami. He is all energy, loads of endeavour, but how often does he actually make it into the opposition box? He is being lauded as a West Ham great but that is more down to sweat and graft than down to any end product from what I have seen. Think again of the City game. Who forced Given into his only meaningful save in the first half? You've got it, Collison, breaking into the left hand corner of the box and driving low towards the bottom corner. The movement and confidence were Lampard like.

So is he that good? Only time will tell of course but confidence, an ability to read the game and quick feet are key ingredients for a quality player. The boy can control a ball, the boy can pick a pass (look at that through ball to Cole against Wigan), the boy can knock in a cross, the boy can dribble, the boy can score, the boy can play down the right, the left or down the middle, the boy can tackle...there's only one mystery. With all that ability, why on earth did he opt to play for Wales when he was qualified for England? Will he become the new Giggs? What a shame he never got to grace the final stages of a World Cup because he opted to play for Wales!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Article,very positive about a progressive player! It is indeed a shame he opted for wales.haha as far as I know Gabbs convinced him to do it. They do have afew good up and coming players though. Hope he doesnt adopt Lamps sparkling loyal persona and remains a hammer.

Hammersfan said...

Thank you. Hope you also enjoy some of the less positive ones too mate. Striving for honesty on here without pulling punches. Try to add some sort of identification handle in future, would be good to know who is contributing and when.

Anonymous said...

The thing is Fanno Giggs is Welsh so him opting to play for Wales was no big deal for him as that is what he has always considered himself. The shame about Collison is that he unlike Giggs he is English born and we have missed out big time in not getting him into our under 21's. I really rate this boy and I am really thrilled with how well him and Tomkins are coming along in our team. Like you say he has that knack of getting into goal scoring positions which is something we really need from one of our midfielders. Yes he will miss a few but as he grows in confidence and becomes more of a regular he will contribute with a steady flow of goals. We seem to be producing a decent crop of youngsters again and Collison certainly looks like being a Jewel in the Crown at Upton Park!

Anonymous said...

Why are u alwayz so negativ u must be a spud! Good article, agree with most of it. I think we would've struggled without Jacko this season as he is the only really attack minded player in there. If he carries on progressing at the same rate we could have a real diamond on our hands.

Hammersfan said...

Cheers Den. Who is anonymous? You have the advantage over me! Andrew by any chance?

Prince H said...

Liked this article as well. Just a Q. You like when Collison try a shot - even if he misscontrol it. You don't like Savio to try a shot as well (as he did when Given was unable to do it?) Am I I with you or do I overreact? I do like Collison a lot, and I'm certain he can be an important member for us - well, he actually is already - but I think that Savio - give him a few more months - can be as influential as our Jack!
Another one who is fun to watch, sneaking his way into the box is Illunga who has scored two vital ones in the same position. Far away form his normal one. Can he do it again?

Anonymous said...

Are you going through the whole squad?

Yesterday Deano, today Collison.. tomorrow is Robert Green the new Phil Parkes?

Hammersfan said...

Pete, I've done Green already, and Tomkins and Neill. See the index of other posts on the site and join the discussion.

Prince H, I am happy to see Savio shoot too. Of the two, Collison has looked the better bet so far IMO but it is asking a lot of young Savio to move to a new country and perform immediately. Even Ronaldo needed time to settle in before he showed his best.

Anonymous said...

SID said........

Collison is the best player that I have seen come through the ranks since Rio. I just hope that he stays with us a lot longer than Rio and Lampard did.

Personally, I'm glad he chose Wales. They don't qualify for tournaments so Collison isn't going to get so burned out. I'm sure that Bellamy talked him into choosing Wales - Well done Bellamy!

Hammersfan said...

Hi Sid, thanks for visiting and commenting. I am an England fan too and feel huge pride when a Hammer pulls on the Three Lions. I wish he had gambled on being good enough to play for England.

Anonymous said...

Well as an Englishman I am not pleased he chose to play for Wales. I also feel great pride when one of our own plays for England but that has been slightly tainted with what happened to Deano, not Beano I might add!

Anonymous said...

By the way it was not Andrew my dear!!

Hammersfan said...

Aycliffe?