Forget Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes because Tim Sherwood has named three unsung West Ham stars who set them apart from Spurs in the battle for survival.
West Ham have Premier League safety in their own hands after leapfrogging Spurs to climb out of the relegation zone while pushing their bitter rivals into it.
The Hammers now know they will remain in the top flight if they match the results of Tottenham Hotspur over the last six games of the run-in.
In fact Nuno Espirito Santo’s side can potentially even afford one less result than Tottenham along the way as they sit one place and two points above them.
Sherwood says three unsung West Ham stars can relegate Spurs
West Ham have been transformed since early January, picking up 18 points from 12 games whereas Spurs have one from 24 and no wins since the turn of the year.
Captain Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville have been key with their goals and assists while Mateus Fernandes has been brilliant in central midfield.
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Mind the gap, Tottenham Hotspur 😂
However, it is three unsung West Ham stars who set them apart from Spurs according to Tim Sherwood.
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The former Tottenham player and manager has been assessing the relegation battle following West Ham’s 4-0 win over Wolves and Spurs’ defeat at Sunderland.
And Sherwood says West Ham have what Spurs sorely lack in the trio of ever-reliable Tomas Soucek, transformed Konstantinos Mavropanos and loan hero Axel Disasi.
“This group of (Spurs) players should not be in a relegation battle,” Sherwood told Sky Sports News.
“Yes, they’re not good enough (in terms of achieving the aims as to) why they were brought into the club because I mean, the objectives would have been to challenge for the Champions League. They’re nowhere near that. Let’s get that right. But they’re capable of staying in the league.
“But on the evidence of what we’ve seen, they’re not. Because there’s some ingredient missing, and that’s character – that’s what’s underneath the shirt. Forget about the pretty patterns, what they can do in training or whatever, the ability they have. It’s about the mentality and the heart. And at the moment, they’re void of that.
West Ham trio Soucek, Disasi and Mavropanos show character Spurs lack says Sherwood
“You need characters in this situation. Look at West Ham, who are a team who are pulling some results together.
“Disasi, Mavropanos, like two rocks at the back there at the moment. They’re putting their head on everything, putting their bodies on the line, staying where they are, not trying to embroider and do whatever they want.
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“They’ve got Soucek there who’s tackling everyone, you know, blocking things.”
While West Ham fans have been raving about the performances of Mavropanos, Disasi and Soucek, it is refreshing to see it recognised outside the Hammers bubble.
While Spurs sit bottom of the Premier League form table going into the last six games, West Ham are in the top five since the turn of the year.
There have been murmurings about how the Hammers will handle the pressure of becoming the hunted after so long being the hunters.
But West Ham will be reassured having characters like Mavropanos, Soucek and Disasi willing to do the hard yards and put their heads where it hurts for the cause.
Relegation run-in remaining six fixtures: