When Mali international Modibo Maiga was signed from Ligue 1 side Sochaux, nobody knew what to expect.
A few months prior to signing for West Ham; Maiga was on the verge of completing a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle, with a failed medical scuppering that move; Newcastle’s loss appeared to be West Ham’s gain.
Last season saw the Malian struggle to make any sort of impact in the Premiership; with most of his appearances coming from the bench.The African cup of nations and our influx of attackers didn’t help either. It proved very difficult for him to gain any real consistency, overall it was very frustrating for both player and the fans. The talent he possessed was evident; goals against Chelsea, Wigan and a superb individual effort against Southampton proved why we signed him.
Maiga’s future at West Ham seemed in doubt, with new arrivals looking inevitable It was only a matter of time before he was sent packing.
With no new first team strikers arriving and Maiga’s ever-present inclusion in West Ham’s pre-season, its look as-if he will get a chance to showcase his skills. Andy Carroll will be out until mid September; at the very least, so this is the perfect opportunity for Maiga to stake a claim in the first team.
When Carroll returns from injury it remains likely that Maiga would play on the wing but his versatility would be very helpful in our current squad, if he manages to bag a few goals in the fixtures where Andy is injured that would provide West Ham with a massive boost.
Will Maiga take his chance?
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About Stevo
Maiga scored some beautiful goals last season. Now he has the chance to prove he can make it on the big stage in the biggest football league in the world. Andy was bought so he could showcase his talent in one of the biggest stadiums in the country, the Olympic Stadium in 2016. Maiga has to prove he is worthy of such a stage too.
West Ham has to play big on this stage. We fans need to get behind the team from the start against Cardiff with a season to remember and push for Europe. European football at the Olympic Stadium with our beloved Hammers bossing the park, starts August 17th, 2013.
Shaun
I cant se him being played with long ball Sam, but here we are again with the season ready to start and we have no striker. But I do remember a comment somewhere that said we would have all our transfers done early , well would you believe it Lies all Lies they put all there money in one basket so here we or again with nobody so you never know Shaun he could be played . And as for a top half finish it wont happen the teams that would of been around mid table or buying better players. Our 15million sick note wont be ready for 6 weeks its gonna be a long season
I can’t see maiga ever making an impact ! He definately can’t be used on the wing because he can’t play there! we’ve seen how much defending vaz te and Jarvis have to do , and is the main reason why Sam is looking for a right sided winger/striker. Even in pre season maiga looks completely lost upfront on his own. He doesn’t know how to hold the ball up at all ! The only way I can see maiga having an impact is in a 442 under harry redknapp or pardew. It’s a shame because he clearly has talent. But to fit into sams system as a forward you need to know how to play isolated and he’s just not good enough
If Sam plays ball into space for maiga to run on to then i’m sure he will be a success. If he tries to play him as a ball up to target man aka Andy Carroll then he will find it difficult as it is not his natural game.