West Ham’s dire form shows no sign of abating, as Southampton march into the London Stadium and take three points, with Charlie Austin amongst the goals once again. Here’s the Stock Check from Sunday’s encounter….
On the Rise
Charlie Austin
Having scored four goals in the previous three across all competitions, the Saints striker was granted a second Premier League start of the season by Claude Puel. Austin vindicated that decision with the opener and also supplied the assist for Dusan Tadic’s goal; he is clearly in the midst of a hot streak right now.
With Leicester City, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the next six, though, the fixtures are hardly in his favour.
Dusan Tadic
After a slow start to the season, the Serbian continues to build momentum. Tadic opened the campaign with a trio of blanks but has since served up points in each of the subsequent three. Assists against Arsenal and Swansea City were followed up with an ice-cool finish against the Hammers as the Saints chalked up a fourth straight win in all competitions.
Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares
It’s back-to-back clean sheets for the Saints in the Premier League after keeping out Swansea City last weekend. Ryan Bertrand earned his first attacking points of the season with an assist for Austin’s goal, while Cedric Soares mirrored his fellow full-back for bonus with two apiece.
The duo have now served up 18 and 17 points respectively in the last couple of Gameweeks as Puel’s approach finally takes hold.
In Decline
Dimitri Payet
Much was expected of the Hammers today, from what was the first of four home matches in six. While Michail Antonio’s kinder price may persuade some to hold ahead of visits from Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Sunderland, the premium priced Payet may well be seen as surplus to requirements. Yet to score in the league so far, he has been subject to more transfers out than any midfielder this term and that trend may well continue in light of today’s uninspiring display.
Michail Antonio
Antonio’s stock also takes a dent following the tactical tweaks from Slaven Bilic. With the Hammers chasing the game, Bilic replaced Håvard Nordtveit with striker Ashley Fletcher on 71 minutes. Antonio was then shifted to become an attacking right-back – a move which could become familiar should West Ham find themselves in a similar scenario again. Given their form, that seems likely.
James Collins
The Welshman’s run in West Ham’s first XI came to an end after he dropped out of the squad today. Having started each of the first five, Collins – who rose to 9% ownership in FPL – was clearly earmarked as the fall guy, with Winston Reid returning to partner Angelo Ogbonna at centre-half. Today’s capitulation may well force another rethink, though – the Hammers have now shipped 14 goals in the last four.
