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Aaron Cresswell return to form a major positive for West Ham
West Ham United’s draw with Stoke City this week was a helpful point in their fight for Premier League survival. Defeat against the Potters would have had the Hammers fearful of being dragged into the bottom three, but a late goal from super-sub Andy Carroll saved the day.
His return to action was also a massive boost for West Ham, as is the return to form of a once-reliable player.
Aaron Cresswell was excellent against Stoke this week. The one-cap England international was solid defensively as part of David Moyes’ back three. With Arthur Masuaku on the left-hand side of the five, Cresswell did well to cover when needed.
But in an attacking sense, Cresswell has not forgotten his marauding left-back days. He was a constant threat going forward, giving West Ham the extra man in attack every time he did so.
In the end, it paid off. His curled in pass found Carroll’s cultured left-foot and West Ham were level.
It is a return to form which West Ham fans will be pleased to see. Cresswell was in fine form at West Ham after joining from Ipswich Town in 2014. Eventually, that form saw him earn his one and only England cap – as a late substitute against Spain in November 2016.
But, 2017 was a poor year for Cresswell. His form hit a rough patch and he continued to struggle with a niggling knee injury which left him struggling for fitness and consistent performances.
However, the Stoke performance looked like Cresswell back to something near his best. Whilst nobody will expect a call-up to the England team again any time soon, such a return to form is great news for West Ham.
Hammers fans will just hope he can continue to perform like this for the rest of the season, and help West Ham survive the relegation battle.