With Andy Carroll and Diafra Sacko misfiring, is fear of failure the only thing keeping Bilic from starting Toni Martinez?
The Hammers have endured a torrid start to the season and are lucky to find themselves outside the relegation zone at the 10-game mark.
Slaven Bilic’s side currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and have looked shaky at the back as well as bereft of ideas going forward, with Mexican poacher Javier Hernandez heavily relied upon going forward.
Frustrations have risen among West Ham fans due to the persistent selection of either Diafra Sacko and Andy Carroll alongside Hernandez up top, with calls for Spanish youngster Toni Martinez to start ahead of Sacko and Carroll, who have scored just one goal between them so far this season.
However, despite the increasing pressure on Bilic’s job at West Ham, it’s not just fear of failure that could be holding back the Spaniard, who spent last season out on loan with Oxford United.
After scoring just once in 15 games in League One for Oxford United, there is little to support the claims that the 20-year-old former Valencia forward is ready for Premier League football.
Additionally, talisman Javier Hernandez’s speed and agility is perfectly complimented by Carroll, who has experience and proven goalscoring prowess at the level on his side. Standing at 5 foot 11 inches tall and a similar build of player to the former Manchester United striker, Martinez would be too similar of a player to partner ‘Chicharito’.
Martinez definitely has the talent, but in the midst of a relegation battle, the 20-year-old isn’t the answer.
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