Every cloud has a silver lining, so the expression goes, and thirteen is supposed to be unlucky, so it must have been with great trepidation that Sam Byram, who had just completed his move from Leeds United, took to the stage at the Boleyn yesterday on the thirteenth minute to replace Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson in the enthralling 2 - 2 draw against Manchester City. Byram was not supposed to even be at the club, yet alone making his debut in such a high profile match, originally the club weren't even going to buy him until the summer. Of course the match was settled by a brace of goals from Enner Valencia from the Hammers and Sergio Aguero for City, but Byram's contribution cannot be underestimated. The young, but highly experienced defender took to the 'crucible' of a world wide television audience like a proverbial duck to water, he clearly grew in stature as the game wore on and as testimony to his ability managed to keep David Silva in his pocket, the City flier being replaced in the 83rd minute to help run down the clock.
The sight of expensive loanee Jenkinson hobbling off having just conceded his third penalty of the season (more than any other player in the barclays premier league!) would usually be a portent for impending disaster, but this is a new West Ham who have a manager who does not know the meaning of his team being beaten before they even step on the pitch, unlike many others, big name teams have hold no fear over him, in fact he seems to relish taking on the 'big boys' and thoroughly testing them. Man management is a complicated situation when players command such huge money, dealing with their collective ego's and demands takes a special type of manger, and Billic is that in spades! He took time out to heap praise upon the much maligned Enner Valencia ,who is finally living up to his reputation and proving that he has at last begun to deal with the 'physicality' of the Premier League.
“We didn’t talk about Enner since the beginning of the season, only because he got injured before the start of the season.“His quality has always been sky high and not only goals,everything. His contribution, he’s great in the air, he’s got a great touch and he’s torturing the defences that have to play against him.“He deserved this kind of performance." Long may it continue. - Ed