5 Things Learned From West Ham's Win Over Birkirkara FC

Matt Jarvis was West Ham's record signing in 2012, costing £10.75 million. He made 11 appearances last season & failed to register a goal or an assist, previously registering 4 goals for West Ham in 64 appearances.

Admittedly he had run riot down the wings against the pub team from Andorra, but even coming up against the team who finished third in the Maltese Premier League (UEFA ranked 44/53) he struggled to make any significant impact against Birkirkara. He looked busy as he bustled up and down the wing and shot tamely at the keeper, but again his delivery was poor limply floating balls in towards the 6 yard box that any sort of defender or goalkeeper can snuff out, the Birkirkara keeper being particularly fond of a dramatic punch.

With the departure of Downing Jarvis is now the only real 'winger' that West Ham have in the team, Valencia can do a job and Payet has played on the wing before, but both are far more effective in central positions whilst Amalfitano is more of an attacking midfielder also as he lacks the pace for the wings. Jarvis is deadwood, he's just not good enough, even against profoundly weaker opposition.