Over the previous 5 matches, West Ham United have conceded the singular goal. Over that period this is the least amount of goals conceded by a Premier League club. This coincides with James Tomkins coming in for James Collins.
I remember making an earlier post wanting him to play ahead of Collins, who in spite of being a good centre-half sometimes makes elementary errors. He also has more pace which adds balance to a defence which includes Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson, who for all their qualities, are not the fastest defenders.
Personally I’ve been surprised that Tomkins hasn’t received more plaudits for his efforts, several of my friends weren’t even aware of him, yet he has quietly gone about his job with utter efficiency.
Often it’s defenders who throw themselves in front of shots and make last-ditch tackles that receive all the praise, such as John Terry. Yet if they read the game well and have some pace, they needn’t get into that position in the first place. Perhaps why Tomkins hasn’t been receiving rave reviews from the media.
However, I think he has been excellent and that it is totally ridiculous how he features only for the England U20′s. Wen you have Steven Taylor and David Wheater leaking goals for their respective clubs starting together in central defence for the U21′s, I wonder how Tomkins hasn’t at least earnt his place in that squad.
To take it further, I genuinely believe he has to be a contender for the senior England squad should this form continue. Sound crazy? Perhaps, but remember that since his inclusion in the team West Ham have conceded fewer goals in that time than any other Premier League club.
Had someone like Joleon Lescott shown Tomkins’ form of late, I believe people would be calling for him to get into that England squad and perhaps even given further responsibility within that unit.
Having just turned 20, and being a West Ham fan, we all have a lot to look forward to as Tomkins continues his rise as a Premier League centre-half.
