The West Ham fans in the Transfer Tavern have been reacting to the news that their left-sided defender, Aaron Cresswell was named Man of the Match in the club’s 1-1 draw with Stoke last night. Whilst Cresswell no doubt put in a shift for the Hammers, the fans are all in agreement that the award should have gone to their 19-year-old centre-half, Declan Rice.
Man of the match performance from @Aaron_Cresswell last night pic.twitter.com/h2WNISTHYS
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) 17 April 2018
Rice is currently enjoying his breakthrough season at West Ham after being promoted to the club’s senior squad from the West Ham U23 side in the summer. Rice has made an impressive 26 appearances in all competitions for David Moyes’ side including 21 in the Premier League, although the young defender is yet to score his first goal for the club.
The Irish international, who won his first cap in his country’s 1-0 loss to Turkey last month, has fitted seamlessly into the Hammers back three alongside Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell in the absence of James Collins and Winston Reid. When Moyes has some of his more experienced defenders back and fit, it’ll be a real dilemma for the Scottish tactician when deciding who to trust at the heart of his defence, at the moment though, it seems Declan Rice is un-dropable.
You can read our local Irons’ verdict on Decland Rice’s performance here:
https://twitter.com/Kev_WestHam41/status/986192519611539464
https://twitter.com/HaydenEvz/status/986202077033586689
While he did a top job @_DeclanRice was by far thr best player out there last night. Honesty never felt so at ease having attacking players in the box, you just know he's going to get in between them or he's going to block any shots. One of the best at the club right now
— Chris (@ChrisConnor93) April 17, 2018
cresswell was good but @_DeclanRice MOTM for me
— Joshua (@SchroerJr) April 17, 2018
Cress and noble where good last night. Declan rice was very good though.
— Steve Merry (@steve_merry7) April 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/WHU_Shane/status/986219391078584321
didn’t even made a decent corner in that game lol. MOTM for me is Rice
— Dāvids (@FootyAntonio) 17 April 2018
Cresswell really not a chance for me definitely rice was superb growing better and better per game
— Paul Middleton (@paultry90) April 17, 2018
