The 32-year-old West Ham defender is currently out injured but the pundit believes he’s still a massive dressing-room presence.
Tony Gale believes the ‘Ginger Pele’ helps run the West Ham United dressing room to make Slaven Bilic’s job easy for him, according to Sky Sports.
Indeed, centre-back James Collins is currently out injured but Gale thinks that won’t stop him from expressing his influence at Upton Park.
And the pundit is not ruling out a finish in the Champions League places for the east London club.
Gale told Sky Sports News on Friday morning: “The Ginger Pele they call him. They’re running the dressing room. Him and Mark Noble are making Slaven Bilic’s job easy for him.
“They have a chance of making the Champions League. The place is absolutely buzzing.”
Collins’ experience and leadership are exactly the kind of unseen qualities guiding West Ham to a strong finish in the Premier League.
A few weeks ago, the Hammers were several places off the top four and picking up the odd inconsistent result. Now, the momentum is with Bilic’s men and a place in the top four is a target, let alone top six.
Richard Dunne recently suggested Collins was his best ever team-mate at Aston Villa and the 32-year-old has certainly proved his worth at West Ham during his time at Upton Park.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox