Sideshow Bob Excels On Debut

Alex Kral made his Hammers competitive debut at Old Trafford last night and didn't disappoint, he had big shoes to step in as effectively he 'carried' skipper Mark Noble through the match and played in the stead of his compatriot Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice.

Kral didn't put a foot wrong and looked entirely at ease and unfazed at Old Trafford, his match stats speak for themselves as he is proving to be yet another astute bit of business, indeed both he and fellow debutante Areola both arrived on a try to buy basis and on the current evidence both will have their loans made permanent.

Having back up, and dare we say competition, for the two slots that are owned by Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek is definitely a plus for the manager and gives him the option of resting either Rice or Soucek when they succumb to match fatigue as a result of the congested fixture list that comes with qualifying for Europe.

He may look like sideshow Bob, but Alex Kral is proving that his appearances for the Czech Republic during the Euro's were an apparition and he is actually a top top player, Hammers fans had best get used to his 'poodle hair' and flowing locks, because it will be HIM that replaces Declan Rice when he finally moves on to a 'bigger' club.

It is going to have to be a VERY big club, because there aren't that many clubs that currently have Hammers upwards trajectory. -LN