Roving Ravel Revels against Rebel Rivals

The second half of West Ham’s first pre-season friendly versus Cork City on Sunday saw Ravel Morrison return to the claret and blue. In the pre-match build up he looked chilled around the squad and once on the field proceeded to buzz around linking defence and attack and probing for openings. Sure, the opposition was a little limited, but along with Mark Noble he bossed midfield and the two seemed to have a good understanding. In addition, he showed plenty of steel when put under pressure, and regained possession for the Hammers on numerous occasions by virtue of some energetic tracking back.

 

How super-brilliant do you want me to be?

It was also great to see him rewarded with a cooly-taken goal as the rampant Hammers notched up six. His time with Birmingham City has provided a valuable opportunity to continue his development and hopefully a stabilising period for a young man who has been described as enigmatic. However, with the current midfield options available to the Hammers, it will be more than hard getting first team football this year as he is, at best, sixth in the pecking order and it was hard not to notice how the other Hammers ‘rogue’, Alou Diarra was also excellent during his first half shift and also looked much at ease back in the Hammers squad. With the Diame situation far from resolved, who knows what openings may arise in the midfield between now and the season’s start.