Always tricky, having a different opinion to the ‘mainstream’ Claret and Hugh voices, whether the writers or the readers. At worst, abuse. derision, (and that’s just from the writers) – and at best, an avalanche of contrary opinion generally stating I don’t know my Claret from my Bordeaux in footballing terms (A claret is a Bordeaux by the way).
When West Ham first signed Wes Foderingham early in the transfer window there was concern that we were buying a relegated ‘keeper, the worst in the Premier League and a general between-the-sticks liability. Some weeks later I’d suggest most see him as an insurance policy, something we hope we never need but good to have in the background just in case.
All of the John Egan postings including those by Gonzo and Simon earlier, and on many comments clips share the view that Egan’s arrival will either ‘hold back Kaelan Casey‘ or ‘he isn’t good enough for the Premier League’. We’ll, as you’d guess if you are a regular reader, I have a different opinion and I’d like to air it.
John Egan – Insurance policy with over 200 appearances
I’d be tempted to let our dynamic duo of Lopetegui and Steidten decide on John Egan’s suitability for me. I have never seen Egan play but there’s been nothing to suggest our management makes bad decisions and I’d rather trust their judgement. Precisely because I’d like to see Casey develop instead of being chucked on in desperation as a teen who is far from the finished article, I’d rather have a tough as old boots international sitting patiently in the background ‘just in case’.
As a 19 year-old being asked to do a job on marking some of the PL hit men, his Casey’s could go backwards pretty sharpish. He is far from the finished article and to quote one comment ‘needs a season in the Championship to toughen him up’.
Let him go out on loan and grow into a Premier League talent in a year or so instead of over-demanding of him now, when it’s clear physically he still has masses to develop for Premier League levels: Instead of destroying his confidence by forcing him into a role he’s not ready for, give him that extra year, sign a short term solution on a ‘free’ and then take stock 12 months down the line.
I see The Hammers’ looking for cover in the ‘free’ market as a sensible piece of insurance buying, in the same category as ‘clean sheet Wes’ or Ballon D’Awson before him: And we all calmed down about his signing, didn’t we?
We hope we never need him, but we might just be glad one day we have his registration sitting on a file like a dusty home insurance contents policy we never read, come that scary day when three front line defenders go down with some awful affliction.
Martin, for the record you are the best reporter on this site, better than the other muppets!
Oh shucks There are many who beg to differ, Gary. But thank you!
This is not a new scenario, takes me back to the 80’s when we signed centre back Paul Hilton from a Bury side we had just beaten 10 0 in the league cup. Not a world beater by any stretch of the imagination but still an able deputy for the great Alvin Martin when called upon.
I knew this would happen after Moyes played Earthy and Casey in the first team last season but I agree. In defender years Casey is still only a baby. He should be on loan just like Marshall, Earthy and all his other young teammates.
But what happens when the loan periods end Martin? If we still have the likes of Antonio, Ings plus Zouma, JWP and Cornet’s own loans ending, then where is the pathway for the prospects who should be getting their opportunities?
Zouma is out of contract at the end of his loan.
I am a 59 year old American named Robert, living in Atlanta, Texas along wth my 21 year old son, Spencer. We have been Hammers since 2014 after being turned on to them by West London boy and ICF man Jason Allday, who I met while we both drove a cab in Orlando, Florida.
I thoroughly have enjoyed my growing love for this club and sport, and the insight and knowledge this website has provided me. I am saddened by the loss of our dear friend Hughie. He is greatly missed.
The new crop of writers and contributers are doing amazing work and I greatly appreciate all of there efforts. Keep up the good work!
This afternoon I will be undergoing emergency brain surgery to remove a tumor. I expect it to be successfull as I have an amazng team of professionals to take care of me here at Christus St. Michael hospital here in Texarkana, Texas.
I wanted to let you all know how much my son and I love this club and supporters. The resilience of you all to stick by them through thick and thin. Jason told me it can be a rough ride at times, but I have been well trained as I am also a lifelong Charger fan of the NFL since growing up in San Diego, California from 1972 until 2003. I wouldn’t have it any other way! They too start this new season with new front office and head coaching personnel who promise to lift the orginization to their deserved heights.
COYI XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
My best wishes fella…
Thank you John!
How brave of you Robert, to post on here today when you, literally, have so much more on your mind! May l just wish you all the best for a totally successful outcome.
I hope the operation was a couple success and you are to get back to continue the ride of being a West Ham fan.
I am 67 now and as the saying go… “You change your woman, but you never change your club”
Wishing you a swift and full recovery.
⚒️⚒️⚒️
… complete success 😡
Very best wishes Robert, come back and tell us how the surgery goes.
All at C and H
Casey’s time will come the same comments were heard when Moyes signed Dawson , that didn’t turn out too bad did it?
The academy produces a premier league first team starter calibre player once in a blue moon. In the main they do not make that standard wherever it is that they go.
Rice is the big exception, Johnson made it to back up standard with only newly promoted Ipswich prepared to take him on a free, Cullen popped up and back down again with Burnley, Burke, Dan Potts and Mpanzu did the same with Luton.
When they move to other premier league clubs to continue their developments they don’t make it there either, they can be found in numbers in the lower leagues.
Unless they are absolutely exceptional I don’t understand the they are not given a chance argument. They simply don’t get to that standard ever whatever happens is the overwhelming case.
Good points John and we also had Nobes, Rio, Lampard etc. 😀 interesting debate as if you look at teams like Liverpool who led the way last season when playing young players from their Academy. 10 players in Klopp’s first team squad played at least one game for their U17 squad last season. These included Trent Alexander -Arnold, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Jarrell Quandah. Man Utd also included 7 former academy players including Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Sheffield Utd had 6 former Academy players, Brighton, Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea 5 and Palace 4. Interestingly Man City only had 3.
Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka were both former Academy players. As were Conor Gallagher, Marcus Rashford, Scott McInlay and at Brighton Evan Ferguson.
To support your point though the Independent reported in 2022 a staggering 97% of former elite academy players aged 21-26 failed to make a single Premier League appearance. And only 1 in 10 had gone on to make more than 20 league appearances in the top 4 tiers of English football.
That’s a big failure rate. Not many of ours make premier league starter standard but we do seem to have a lot in the lower leagues. But that’s of no real use if it’s first team starters that you’re after. I’m sure we bring in a profit in development fees though while the sale of Rice must have payed for the academy for years.
Agreed . Ironically 2 of our former Academy players are available at the moment James Tomkins and Dan Potts. Both highly experienced and got to be better than Egan for cover. Potts had 195 appearances for Luton and plays CB and full back.