As good as Lukaku was, Modibo Maiga was at best indifferent. At 6'1, the Malian is not a small player, but he fails to fulfil the role of target man that Sam Allardyce likes and West Ham need. The 2012 signing from Sochaux won some nice flick ons in the first half but too often shied away from challenging the Everton centre backs, had a poor touch even for a big man, and was at least half a second too slow to react to events as they developed. Despite some applause when he did challenge for a ball, the West Ham fans' frustration was audible for everyone to hear, and until Andy Carroll returns West Ham will continue to suffer. Four goals in five league games shows how much the Irons are struggling in the big Geordie's absence and the sooner he is back the better for all concerned.
