Valencia struggles as the lone striker.
Having scored twice in West Ham’s last match, Slaven Bilic decided to test Enner Valencia out as a lone striker, even though Nikica Jelavic was sat on the bench. Before his brace against Bournemouth, Valencia hadn’t scored since February 2015, and never looked likely to extend his streak in the first half here. With Payet marshaled superbly, Valencia ran diligently, pursuing channels and running hard, but the ball rarely found him. When he came toward the play, offering himself with his back to goal, his first touch was too often leaden-footed and obvious.
No excuse from Valencia with that touch. Such a great chance wasted
— WHUFC (@Forever_WestHam) January 16, 2016
As the match went on, and became more threadbare, Valencia’s assets became more applicable, as space around back-tracking defenders opened up, though he still had no clear chances. He does offer more than Jelavic, despite the Croatian’s goal in this match; Valencia’s speed alone makes him more valuable. But, on this showing, he still ranks a fair way behind the injured Diafra Sakho, after whom West Ham are longing desperately.
