IN recent months there’s been a procession of young talent moved from the academy ranks and the under 21’s towards Nuno’s senior sides. Most recently, Mohamadou Kanté and Ezra Mayers have made the quantum leap to be awarded their Premier League debuts.
This season they join Callum Marshall and former Academy graduate Freddie Potts in being elevated to first team appearances – with Potts in particular proving a mainstay of the Nuno Espírito Santo midfield.
Until now there’s been one notable absentee from Nuno’s plans – fighting his way back from three serious injuries in a year and half, George Earthy has been harnessed, straight-jacket-style, to the under 21’s this season.
Until now, anyway.
One look at the team sheet for tonight’s u21 encounter with Sporting Club of Portugal shows several telling absentees: No Earthy, No Kanté, no Callum Marshall, no Ezra Mayers – fuelling rumours that the quartet are likely to be called into West Ham’s senior squad for the trip to Manchester City.
Great to see Cummings get start – but Earthy, Kante, Mayers and Marshall all absent
Earthy has been the subject of considerable discussion on the last 24 hours with suggestions he may be sold in January swiftly quashed by the club: Perhaps his profile has been raised sufficiently to warrant another look by the Hammers manager ahead of his selection for Saturday.
Early and Marshall on the bench would have been moreimpactful than Nuno’s introduction of Rodriguez and Soucek, when going in search of an equalising goal last week in the loss against Aston Villa. Perhaps there is something of a change of heart regarding Earthy on the horizon. We can but hope.
I’m glad we have Soucek, just have to use him sparingly unlike before, but brings calm and experience along with him, if he comes on to replace one of the younger lads.
I’ll be so interested to see Marshall play (if, of course), but team has to play accordingly. No hoofing the ball up to the MC CBs, back him up when he presses high (his instinctive game), etc. If he comes on instead of Wilson, the team have to switch approach and look to press high, passes in behind for a quick forward and the reverse for Wilson.
Seems to me they are all players who make a difference in a match, all of them – that’s is saying something. Well done the academy. Kante can worry the opposition as a player I think because (just my impression) he plays completely free of restraint. He is fast over the ground, will attack, will shoot, will pass they’ll be pushed to cope – I’m just supposing.
Good news but I still think Soucek is always capable of getting a goal
Stick em In. One way or another we’ll find out if they’ve got it. It’s a game to.nothing so just do.it
As you say Martin We can only hope this is a u turn. Also good to see that Daniel Cummings is in the under 21 side.
Great news
Hope that is the case
Hope to see them on the team sheet at the week-end