Respected former Premier League manager Chris Wilder goes wild for ‘best around’ West Ham United star Declan Rice and often unsung teammate Aaron Cresswell.
Wilder was a breath of fresh air when his honest interviews and swashbuckling Sheffield United side took the Premier League by storm.
Widely regarded as one of the top English managers around, Wilder was a victim of his own success as the Blades struggled in their second season and he was sacked.
Now Wilder has been sharing his honest views as a pundit instead. And he waxed lyrical about West Ham as he analysed the 4-1 win over Aston Villa for Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night.
West Ham consolidated their place in the top four with their fifth straight victory at Villa Park.
Captain Declan Rice was man of the match once again and he got an assist and another goal in his more advanced box-to-box tole.
And Wilder went wild over Rice, declaring him to be the best midfielder around while also heaping praise on his West Ham teammate Cresswell.
Chris Wilder goes wild for ‘best around’ West Ham star Declan Rice and unsung teammate Aaron Cresswell
“He’s (Rice) got to be the best, current form, the best midfield player in the country, he’s got everything,” Wilder said on Match of the Day 2.
“And it was a great pass (for Ben Johnson’s goal), he picked that pass out.
“Cresswell was outstanding yet again, how many forward runs did he make as well.
“Declan Rice again is not stood still, makes his way up the pitch and I’ve got to say I think Dean (Villa boss Smith) was a bit harsh on Rice there (saying he will have missed with better shots), I thought it was a fantastic finish…
“It (West Ham’s fourth goal) was a fabulous goal and possibly the goal of the weekend. You’re talking about an effective team here, in and out of possession,” Wilder added while highlighting Cresswell’s outstanding recovery runs after getting forward to support attacks.
“Work ethic is not an ask, it’s a given for West Ham.
“He’s (Cresswell) such a big player for West Ham and has been for a number of years…
“Connected (as a club). I think we all saw the scenes with Mark Noble a couple of seasons ago on the pitch remonstrating with a punter. He’s West Ham through and through and you can see an obvious connection.
“Mark Noble, for me, sets the culture, that’s been taken on by Declan Rice, you’ve got Ben Johnson in there and everybody buys into it.
“But it’s led by the manager, who is an absolute top class manager.”
It is so refreshing hearing everyone gush with praise about West Ham.
David Moyes and his team are doing every West Ham fan proud.
Wilder speaks with refreshing honesty and clarity and his analysis here is top drawer.
More West Ham news:
Aston Villa’s Newham generals got demoted by West Ham.
Bowen upsets big Villa fan in West Ham win but revenge tastes sweet.
Heskey backs West Ham for Champions League but Moyes has fall-back.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
