West Ham managed to do a ‘first ever’ on Wednesday night against Accrington Stanley.
No, it wasn’t a great performance and yes we did get through much to everybody’s relief, but what was sad was that for the first time an Irons team failed to include a single Englishman over the 90 minutes.
This was our line-up: Randolph, Arbeoloa, Nortveidt, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Obiang, Fernandes, Feghouli, Calleri, Töre,Zaza.
What does this tell us about our academy and in particular Reece Oxford who warmed the bench against a League Two side in the minor domestic Cup competition.
Will it help in the current contract negotiations? Looks like an opportunty missed from here!
Sitting alongside him was former Manchester United youngster Ashley Fletcher who, on his brief appearances this season, has perhaps looked the most threatening striker available.
But to see a Hammers team without a single Englishman on view was odd and very disappointing. I don’t expect everybody to feel the same but I put it on the record as it has yet to be mentioned.
Your views will be very welcome.
did not see that, totally agree, sad state when we cant put two up and coming players on and give them the buzz, Slav you have missed that one matey !
I know I’d had a couple of light ales but I’m sure Antonio came on.
Always said I would walk out if there was not an English man in the starting eleven but did not take much notice of the starting 11
Wish I had as wouldn’t have had to watch it!!
Errmmmm…. Antonio?
Should have said starting x1.
You clearly state over 90mins
Yeh , Hugh . It is rather a dambing indictment of our our present squad . But you are forgetting the obvious fact that had Creswell & Carroll been fit they would certainly have played , because that game was too important to not lose . But hey ; if it went to extra time we would probably have won 3 – 0 . .. Seem to remember Antonio somewhere on the pitch that night though .!
We do have a few Englishmen in the squad but the only Academy graduates left are Noble and Oxford now that Tonka has gone.In Oxford’s case,ok he is only 17/18 and surely after the way he played against Arsenal last season he is worthy of being given a chance.Remember the lad is a professional footballer who spends most weekend sitting on a bench watching.He wants to do what he is employed for-play football.
We needed to win the game and we won. Oxford, in my view should have been loaned out. His entire reputation is based on the first game of LAST season. But with contract negotiations going on, not playing him was not clever – unless he is starting on Sunday of course.
Exactly right Nestacres.Oxford is being built up as a saviour.The kid was given a chasing in a couple of other games but that is conveniently forgotten about.We need to be realistic,the lad is builiding a reputation in fans minds when they have not even seen him play more than a couple of games hehe
I would have liked to see Oxford play. I also think it’s time Martinez and Fletcher get a shot up top, Martinez is a long way from the finished article but he is scoring on average more than a goal a game which none of our present crop are so at the least he should get a shot as an impact sub. As you say Hugh if we aren’t going to give our youngsters a chance in the PL we should at least do them the honour of getting them on against league2 competition. As also said though we got the result and Slav was between a rock and a hard place so well done Slav and the team for getting that result, COYI !!!