West Ham United legend Tony Gale did not hold back in his assessment of Aaron Cresswell’s performance against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic
The Hammers lost 3-2 to the Cherries to make it back-to-back defeats and means they are without a win since the beginning of February.
In truth Slaven Bilic’s side got what they deserved after a dismal display in which Eddie Howe’s men squandered two penalties.
The result leaves the Hammers in 11th place with little to play for but Premier League placing prize money for the remainder of the season.
There were not many West Ham players on their game at the Vitality Stadium, but one in particular drew heavy criticism in the shape of defender Aaron Cresswell.
Hammers legend and co-commentator on the match Tony Gale tore strips off the left-back after one of his worst performances in the claret and blue.
Gale, who played 300 games for the East Londoners during a decade at the club, could not mask Cresswell’s display and made a number of observations throughout the game.
“Why Cresswell is firing that into (Michail) Antonio’s feet like that I don’t know, just roll it into him, he can’t do anything with that,” Gale said after a series of poor passes to his teammate.
“His crossing hasn’t been there today,” Gale said after Cresswell continually failed to beat the first man or get the ball into a dangerous area for Andy Carroll to attack.
Cresswell did not have his best game against Bournemouth but remains a key player
“I don’t know where Cresswell is, he’s halfway up the pitch and then he goes into the centre back position… they keep getting caught out down there,” Gale said after another Bournemouth attack down the right results in an effort on goal.
“He’s had a mare today Cresswell he really has,” Gale concluded when he gave the ball away in the centre of the pitch to set up a Cherries counter attack.
Cresswell has been nothing short of a revelation since signing for a bargain £3.5million from Ipswich Town.
Tony Gale
He was an ever present until a knee injury in pre-season ruled him out for three months and it has disrupted his form as he is playing catch-up and picking up the odd niggling injury.
Cresswell will be hoping to stay injury free for the last 10 games and get a full pre-season under his belt in the summer to get back to his best next season.
The Hammers take on Leicester City next at the London Stadium this Saturday.
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