da realsbet： Although he may not arrive as the most illustrious name within Slaven Bilic’s current West Ham squad, James Collins nonetheless represents arguably the most under-rated player still operating at Upton Park.
da blaze casino： Through thick and thin, the 32-year-old centre-back has always been there for the Hammers, displaying a sense of loyalty that is rarely noticed among the modern game today.
The Welsh international – who has most recently been a part of Chris Coleman’s successful qualification to Euro 2016 with the Dragons – simply hasn’t had many chances to show what he’s all about under West Ham’s new style of management. After getting sent-off and potentially even costing his side a safe passage in an ill-fated Europa League qualifier earlier on this campaign, the writing seemed like it could have already been on the wall for the no-nonsense defender.
Bilic seemingly preferred to count upon the likes of Angelo Ogbonna, Winston Reid and James Tomkins when deciding to construct his back-four at Upton Park, yet as the Croatian tactician was left with no choice but to play Collins last time out away to Crystal Palace, the former Cardiff and Aston Villa blocker nonetheless shone once again in West Ham colours.
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So then, is James Collins little more than a determined Premier League defender willing to do his best for his side when called upon, or is the current Hammers’ no. 19 actually the greatest unsung hero among Slaven Bilic’s high-flying outfit at the moment?
Well, ever since he first arrived at Upton Park in the summer of 2005, the towering centre-back has enjoyed a distinctly impressive relationship with the West Ham fan-base.
You don’t get called the ‘Ginger Pele’ for nothing at the Boleyn Ground of course, even if Hammers teammate – Mark Noble – currently goes down as the ‘Cockney Pirlo’ in and around the east end.
James Collins is nonetheless truly deserving of the praise. Via his physical presence among the Hammers’ back-line, sheer tenacity in the tackle and unrivalled sense of bravery when it comes to blocking out the opposition at absolutely any cost – this is a man few could honestly discredit. West Ham have traditionally gone down as somewhat of a pushover throughout the club’s history, yet through the addition of players such a Collins, that particular tag no longer resembles the current outfit we see today at Upton Park. Maybe Sam Allardyce therefore deserves credit for instilling at least some positive traits among this current Hammers group…
As there are ultimately two sides to every coin, though, there are nonetheless a few important shortcomings to the defender’s overall game that have arguably held him back somewhat during his time in the east end. Regardless of the player’s creditable attitude to the match-day scenario with every passing week, Collins just isn’t the most technically gifted centre-back the Premier League has ever seen.
On the contrary, the 32-year-old has in-fact been at fault when it comes to passing the ball out calmly from the back at times, which has potentially damaged his reputation when compared with West Ham’s other impressive centre-back options. For all his physical prowess and strong defensive organisation along the Hammers’ back-line, the Welsh international simply fails to represent a fully reliable ball-player when his side often require him to be.
Yet having said that, sometimes a manager needs a player like James Collins to count upon among his ranks. For as strong as Reid, Tomkins and Ogbonna have looked at Upton Park so far this season, none of the aforementioned names seem quite as willing to put their body on the line as much as their fellow defensive teammate – and for that particular reason alone – Bilic must not see fit to end Collins’ stint at West Ham before it’s time.
The Hammers’ have already had to count upon the experienced centre-back already this season through injury concerns alone. It remains a testament to the level of strength in depth currently on offer at the Boleyn Ground that a player of Collins’ quality arrives only as the fourth choice centre-back option available to Slaven Bilic.
Ultimately then, West Ham’s no. 19 may well indeed represent the greatest unsung hero currently on the books at the east end club. He may not be widely appreciated outside the confines of Upton Park much these days, but that doesn’t mean he has been forgotten among the Hammers’ faithful. James Collins could therefore maintain his place in the starting XI as West Ham go on to face an undoubtedly physical Chelsea side currently desperate for points.
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