Nathan Holland improved his chances of a call up to the first team squad after scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Stoke last night in the Premier League 2 Division 2 game at the bet365 Stadium.
The 21-year-old will be hoping that Manuel Pellegrini was watching at the Academy side confidently beat their Northern counterparts to top of Division 2 after nine games.
The Hammers U23’s are now three above second placed Manchester United and six points above third placed Stoke City.
Winston Reid was again missing from the U23 squad as he continues to train to regain his fitness form his knee injury.
Holland was joined on the score sheet by Joe Powell and Anthony Scully last night.
U23 lead coach made two changes for West Ham’s development squad last night. Out went injured defenders Iyiola Adebayo and Reece Hannam, and in come Sam Caiger and Gonçalo Cardoso the former making his first start in the Premier League 2, the latter returning from international duty with the Portugal youth set-up.
It’s clear to me that certain top players in our first team need a wake up call, and replacing them at the weekend with hungrier youngsters would send a clear message. Holland has to get his chance, and I would sacrifice Anderson to the subs bench. Sacrifice Fornals for Ajeti and play two up top, with Holland, Lanzini, Rice and Yarmo across the midfield. We need service to the front two, so I hope Cressie returns and Freddie finds his mark.