West Ham produced a solid and united display in the well earned draw against Newcastle, with one player given significant praise following their excellent showing.

It was a team performance that will have many hoping that the dark days of this campaign are drawing to a close, with our Hammers coming back from behind to gain a much needed point which arguably could have been all three on another day.

In that team were many excellent individual displays, with Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta demonstrating a blossoming pairing as they bossed the midfield, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio looking menacing, and Vladimir Coufal looking back to the player we know he can be.

But one other shone out just slightly more so according to The West Ham Way Podcast host Dave Walker, who felt the performance of Nayef Aguerd was exceptional – and there wont be many who can argue.

The Moroccan international was commanding and classy, demonstrating as to why he was top of David Moyes’ list last summer. His showing will have all connected with the club asking whether our league position would be very different had his long term injury not occurred in pre-season.

“Nayef Aguerd, what a player,” exclaimed a delighted Walker. “He’s quick, strong, has great judgement and is always positive on the ball, he always tries to be productive in possession.”

Walker feels that the defender could be a big driving force now as David Moyes’ side look to climb the table away from the wrong end, with confidence up ahead of our London derby against Chelsea at London Stadium next weekend.

“I love him,” added the host. “He could seriously make the difference this season!”