How good is Obinna?

There were some very tangible positives from yesterday's game: Jacobsen looks the part at right back, Da Costa and Upson looked like a good centre back pairing, Parker and Noble were solid in midfield, and Piquionne looked promising. The shape also worked well in the first half, although we didn't work the flanks enough still because Piquionne will work the channels but is not naturally a wide player.

The player who is likely to trigger the most debate, Green apart, is Obinna. How good is the guy?

So far, I can understand why he is on Inter's books but I can understand just as well why they have sent him out on a season's loan. He has ability, no question. His instant control is impressive and his movement tests defences. Yesterday, he forced a good save from Sorensen and played a major role in the goal, with his free kick delivered deep and accurately into the Stoke six yard box. Pandemonium ensued.

However, the guy looks very raw and far too impetuous to me. We saw a shot go out for a throw in on his debut and he missed a golden opportunity against Chelsea when he blazed at goal, rather than control the ball and place it. Yesterday, he chose to shoot from 30 yards when we were counter attacking and Stoke defenders were back peddling anxiously. The ball blazed wide and players racing up in support were left frustrated by Obinna's lack of composure and awareness.

The question is, will he bring more to the table than he takes away? How many goals will he score and create to compensate for his impetuous wasting of openings? He needs to score soon. If he goes game after game without hitting the net, he will become more anxious and the crowd will see his errors and start to groan and hurl abuse. He is a tryer, and that will go down well at Upton Park, but West Ham fans like cute footballers, not dumb ones, and thus far, Obinna has looked a tad on the selfish side and not the brightest of buttons when in possession of the ball.

Obinna is adjusting to new team mates, a new country, a new manager and a new style of play of course. Not many arrive in the Prem and make an instant impact. We do not have the luxury of time, however. If Obinna spends a season developing, that will be to Inter's benefit, not ours. He has hit the ground running - the guy has pace - but we now need him to hit the back of the net, hit his team mates with passes and to become a hit with the crowd.

How good is Obinna? Time will tell. But time is in short supply when you are bottom of the table five games in to a 38 game season. Remember how long it took for Tevez to bed in? If Obinna takes that long, we are in trouble!