Player Focus: Winston Reid's Injury a Real Hammer Blow

New Zealand's World Cup dreams were left in tatters last week after they fell to a disheartening 5-1 defeat to Mexico. Their Central American counterparts showed up the All Whites in the first leg of their Brazil 2014 playoff, with New Zealand forced to partake in the fixture without captain Winston Reid.

The centre-back is now sidelined until the New Year after undergoing ankle surgery and his loss will come as a massive blow to West Ham United and, judging from the loss to Mexico, New Zealand as well. The 25-year-old has been imperious for the Hammers this term, securing an average WhoScored rating of 7.52, the highest of every player for the east London side.

Such have been his performances in the heart of the backline that Reid is currently in the WhoScored team of the season alongside Southampton’s Dejan Lovren at centre-back. His resolute defensive displays meant that, prior to the 3-1 defeat to Norwich, West Ham hadn't conceded a goal from open play away from Upton Park, that run coming to an end when Leroy Fer tucked past Jussi Jääskeläinen from the edge of the box in the dying moments of the meeting.

The centre-back sat out the defeat and his reassuring presence in the Hammers' backline was certainly missed as a result. While the possession swung in the favour of West Ham in the encounter (53%) Norwich had more shots on goal (15) and shots on target (6) and despite West Ham being strong-willed on the road this season, the defence appeared lost without their defensive leader.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Reid’s ability is the number of interceptions he’s making for West Ham, averaging 2.8 per game in his 10 Premier League appearances this term, the most for his team. This evident reading of the game is what has stood him in such high stead following his arrival from Midtjylland in 2010 and has seen his stock rise significantly following the Hammers’ return to the Premier League in 2012.

While many prematurely tipped Sam Allardyce’s side to struggle upon their re-emergence as a top flight team, with Reid’s inexperience a real cause for concern, fans needn’t have worried as the team secured a 10th-placed finish last season. The form of the team may be a worry to supporters, their side currently on only 10 points, out of the relegation zone only by goal difference, but Reid’s form up until his injury was a shining light in a darkened sky.

However, similar performances like that in the loss to Norwich could occur without Reid in defence, such is his importance to the side during his time on the sidelines. Yet, it isn’t just defensively that he excels, with the New Zealander offering a goalscoring threat too. While he may have only 1 league goal this season, that coming in the 3-0 win at Tottenham, his ability in the air and with the ball at his feet means he's capable of attacking the opposition and causing damage in the opposition box.

This is reinforced in that Reid has had the most attempts in the 6-yard box blocked (3) in the Premier League this season. Considering that the likes of Olivier Giroud, Luis Suárez and Samuel Eto’o, all strikers, have only had 2 shots blocked in a similar situation, Reid's threat from set-pieces is evident.

Also winning 3.2 aerial duels per game, Reid's height and physical presence both in defence and attack has been utilised to full effect and will be a loss to the side as they look to reaffirm their top flight credentials in their second season back in the Premier League. His 6 clean sheets and 2 last man tackles this season highlights his notable defensive contribution to West Ham, with many of the opinion that the reason their goals against column isn't higher than 11 is as a result of Reid.

He has become 1 of West Ham’s most influential players recently and the news that he’ll be out until January will have rocked the team ahead of a tough run of fixtures where they play Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, not to mention must-win six-pointers against London rivals Fulham and Crystal Palace. Reid’s approach to defending will be a huge loss over the next 2 months, with it widely considered that James Tomkins and James Collins don’t boast the same calming demeanour that the New Zealander adds to the backline.

Nevertheless, the duo will be forced to step up their game in Reid’s absence with supporters hopeful they can replicate his performances in front of Jääskeläinen. However, if the 3-1 defeat to Norwich is anything to go by, it could be a long and arduous period for the Hammers without their defensive stalwart marshalling the back four.

How big a blow to West Ham will Winston Reid's injury be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below