There is often a fine line between ‘fan favourite’ and ‘cult hero’. Only time will tell which side Taty Castellanos, West Ham United’s popular new centre-forward, falls.

Right now, he probably sits somewhere in the middle.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth rather summed up his first month in English football. Taty Castellanos drew rapturous applause when attempting an overhead flick which flashed off target. He also got the home fans roused when charging down the Bournemouth defenders.

Where can Taty Castellanos IMPROVE?

And what have you made of his impact so far?

There has been plenty of perspiration – Castellanos said he would bring ‘incredible’ energy to the London Stadium, and he is as good as his word – but relatively little inspiration.

That was maybe to be expected. Scorer of only 16 goals in 75 Serie A matches for Lazio, the Argentina international proved himself to be more a scorer of great goals than a particularly great goalscorer over in Italy.

It is perhaps telling that, when praising his impact last week, Nuno highlighted Castellanos’ ‘hard work’ before mentioning the two goals he scored against Queens Park Rangers and Burnley. His only two strikes in eight appearances thus far.

West Ham United fans want to see a ruthless edge from Taty Castellanos

We at Hammers News asked you how Castellanos can bridge the gap between ‘cult hero’ and ‘fan favourite’.

While Castellanos embraced those inevitable Carlos Tevez comparisons upon arriving in January to the tune of £27 million, he will need to replicate more than Tevez’s famed work ethic if he is to inspire a ‘Great Escape’ to rival that of 2006/07.

“Needs to do more on the ball. He does a lot of running but hardly touches it,” one fan wrote on our Facebook page after seeing Castellanos touch the ball 32 times but fail to register a shot on target against Bournemouth.

“Works hard, but needs to score and get shots on target,” another says.

“Runs around like a headless chicken. Energy is good but still can’t work out his strategy. Maybe he will grow on me.”

“Runs his heart out and passionate, but doesn’t have a great first touch and his finishing needs to improve. He’s had plenty of shots in the Prem but still only one goal.”

“Better than some of the other useless strikers we’ve had purely because he’s scored a couple goals, works hard, looks like he’s putting [the effort] in, but doesn’t actually really look like scoring. I like his attitude but he will be on a plane back to Serie A before they turn the lights off in the stadium if we get relegated last day.”

“Bizarrely, he doesn’t seem to achieve much, but has made a massive difference with his work-rate and effort.”

The jury is out as Castellanos hopes to emulate Carlos Tevez

The Hammers skipper summed it up best.

Jarrod Bowen says Castellanos provides a ‘platform’ for the rest of the team to build upon; forcing mistakes, running the channels, and providing the kind of mobile outlet that was missing in the Niclas Fullkrug days.

But considering that only Callum Wilson and Bowen himself have more than four league goals heading into March, the early positivity may turn into exasperation if Castellanos cannot provide the killer instinct his legendary compatriot brought to Upton Park 19 years ago.

Is Cry the spark to ignite our ‘Great Escape’? 🪏 🔦

Definitely similarities, especially in the way they both started scoring so late into the season! It does feel like we have a genuine matchwinner who can make something out of nothing now

“He needs to put the ball in the back of the net more often,” another of our TalkingPoint users says on a day when Castellanos opened up on the loss of Pablo Felipe, and the impact this has had on his recent performances.

“I believe he needs someone with him [up top]. Pablo is being missed.”

“Work rate is exceptional. More consistent end product and he’s there.”

“Like him. On his way to being a terrace hero. Works hard, pretty skilful, just needs the goal. Very similar to [Marko] Arnautovic.”

“Defends from the front. That will do for me. Puts an excellent shift in.”

“He’s been great. He has a great engine and plays with heart for the badge. We are going to need that if we are going to stay up.”

“We need to get the ball to him as often as possible. Links play. Can shoot. Good leap. Good ball control.”