Dean Ashton says there’s one player at West Ham who’s actually been ‘fantastic’ this season

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West Ham look to be stuck in the middle of the relegation dogfight this season, but Dean Ashton believes they can take positives from the performances of one player.

The Hammers sacked Graham Potter and moved for Nuno Espirito Santo last month, but the new boss is yet to earn his first victory after the draw at Everton and loss against Arsenal.

Under both head coaches, West Ham have won just one of their opening seven games, losing five, and performances have been poor, leaving them 19th in the Premier League table.

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However, Ashton is confident one man in particular will be crucial in their bid to beat the drop.

Dean Ashton praises Crysencio Summerville

Crysencio Summerville has endured an injury-hit spell since arriving at the London Stadium, but played his first 90-minute run-out in nine months in the loss against Arsenal.

The 23-year-old returned from a serious hamstring injury in late August, having first been ruled out back in January, but is now fit and firing on all cylinders.

Summerville already has two assists in his four appearances this campaign, and Dean Ashton hailed his impact at the Emirates.

“Yeah, he’s looked fantastic actually since coming back in this season,” he said on talkSPORT.

“Obviously, his injuries last season. The way he can travel with the ball and get West Ham up the pitch is going to be really important.”

Summerville showed exactly what he can do in his very first game back from injury, teeing up two of the Hammers’ late goals in their 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest in an eight-minute cameo.

Dean Ashton says sacking David Moyes was ‘laughable’

Nuno was parachuted in to save West Ham’s season after their dismal run of form resulted in former Chelsea boss Potter being dismissed just five league games in.

But Ashton believes the slide began when West Ham parted company with David Moyes in May 2024, a season after their Conference League success.

“I think it’s slightly laughable again that the reason they got rid of David Moyes was style of football and now they’re back with Nuno, who’s going to bring a very similar style to David Moyes,” Ashton added.

West Ham resume their survival fight against Brentford after the international break.