With just four fixtures to go, Avram Grant is verging on his second Premier League relegation in as many years. West Ham currently prop up the league with 32 points, but there’s still a handful of clubs that could potentially drop down to the Championship. A few wins coupled with results elsewhere going in their favour and the Hammers will be safe and sound. A look at their remaining fixtures (mcy BLA wig SUN) suggests that, apart from a testing trip to Eastlands, there are reasons for optimism around Upton Park.
One of the only positives to emerge this season has been the naming of Scott Parker as the FWA Player of the Year. With their star man potentially out of the next few matches nursing an Achilles injury, however, Grant will be relying on other members of the team to aid their survival. Step forward, then, Thomas Hitzlsperger, who in Parker’s absence will have greater midfield responsibilities. Fantasy Football Managers may also see potential in the appropriately nicknamed Der Hammer…
The German international has missed the vast majority of this campaign due to a serious thigh injury picked up in pre season but since making his debut at the end of February, has undoubtedly proved his class. Although only scoring one league goal in West Ham colours, he’s more than capable of finding the back of the net with that famous cannon of a left foot.
Over in the Members’ Area we can see Hitzlsperger offers great goal threat. He has made 11 attempts at goal from open play over the past 6 Gameweeks; the same number as Samir Nasri and Nani. As the Hammers’ set piece taker, he’s managed a further 2 attempts at goal in those fixtures.
Hitzlsperger doesn’t just offer potential to find the back of the net, proven by his 3 assists in the previous seven games. Another look at his Opta Stats in the Members’ Area reveals that over those last 6 gameweeks, he’s had 16 Key Passes, the 5th best tally in the top-flight.
The Hammers’ attitude shouldn’t be a concern for Fantasy Managers who may be raising their lip over the thought of transferring in a table-propper-upper. Hitzlsperger recently said this about his manager:
“He wants us to keep our heads up. This week, he said that each of us should think hard about what we can do to play to the best of our abilities. That makes a lot of sense to me, because we can only get out of this mess by playing to our strengths. It’s too late to make drastic changes now. We won’t be able to turn into Stoke City overnight. We have to stay true to ourselves.”
Priced at just 4.9 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, you should be able to find some room for Hitzlsperger in your team. With stats that are more impressive than players double his price and West Ham desperate for points against winnable opposition, Hitzlsperger, and his low ownership of 0.9%, could be the difference between you and your rivals in these decisive concluding Gameweeks.
