Carlton Cole was impressed with Taty Castellanos’ performance in West Ham’s 3-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend.
Castellanos replaced Jean-Clair Todibo after just 25 minutes at St. James’ Park following Newcastle’s second goal.
The Argentinian striker changed the game after his substitution, scoring with an unbelievable strike in the second half.
The only negative from Castellanos’ tenacious display was that he exposed a major problem with the West Ham squad.
WE’RE STILL ALIVE 😍😍 How has Tottenham’s defeat made YOU feel about our survival chances?!
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in! 😂
Carlton Cole says Taty Castellanos revealed exactly what West Ham are missing
Taty Castellanos’ tireless work rate both in and out of possession made West Ham look like a completely different team.
The Hammers looked out of sorts in a 3-4-3 formation until Nuno Espirito Santo changed to a 4-4-2 when Castellanos came on.
His nonstop pressing made it difficult for Newcastle to play out from the back when it had been too easy in the first 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, the front two of Castellanos and Callum Wilson gave Newcastle’s defenders a lot more to think about.
How would you deal with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo? 📝
Should we make them stay or let them go? 🤔
Carlton Cole just wishes West Ham had a team full of Castellanos-like players who fight for the badge on their shirt.
He highlighted the difference between the striker’s work rate and some of the Hammers defenders on the pitch at St. James’ Park.
“See Taty, that is the level, that is the level. If you are fighting for something, he’s come on, and he just looks busy,” Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast.
“You don’t have to have the luck, they always say make luck with hard work, just be busy. If they had four more of those characters on the pitch, they’d be okay.
“I saw a few players, and I’m not going to name names, but if Nuno does his job properly, he’ll tell them that there are defenders just jogging back when the other team is on the attack. I’m thinking, ‘Do you care?’
“When you go down, people’s jobs are in jeopardy. If you don’t at least run around or give your maximum effort, you’re doing them an injustice. No one cares how you feel.”
Another ex-West Ham and England star, Joe Cole, agreed with Carlton’s verdict on Castellanos after the Newcastle defeat.
He insisted that the 27-year-old makes up for his lack of technical quality with his relentless effort, which is all you can ask for.
“I think Callum Wilson is a very good player, but he’s not played,” Joe said. “Castellanos is exactly the character that you need in games like that.
“I think he’s a little limited in his technical ability. He’s not top, but [he makes up for it] in heart and spirit.”
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