THE CURIOUS case of George Earthy’s absence from the senior squad at West Ham is a real puzzler. With a coach who is evidently ‘pro’ youth and a couple of games with senior players missing, most had expected the West Ham attack-minded academy graduate to feature either at Old Trafford of the Amex: Instead of which, Earthy was conspicuous only by his absence from either squad.
Surprising even further as Earthy didn’t appear for the u21’s last week who fielded a weakened side without several others called to to the senior squad. Having seen the young man get back to his best with a wonder goal (that even more curiously didn’t make it into West Ham’s November goal of the month competition) explaining the Hammers’ starlet’s absence from either senior or u21 squad is becoming more challenging.
No news of an injury, nothing on the radar: Whilst Nuno did explain in October that Earthy would be involved in a slow return to fitness with the u21s after two big injuries, his absence form either squad last week is something of a head scratcher.
The u’21s travel to Colchester tonight for their 2nd round EFL trophy clash and all eyes will be on the West Ham team sheet. Surely Earthy, along with fellow academy graduates Kanté and Marshall, will be available for the cup tie, none of them having featured at the weekend.
If Earthy does get game time tonight, all he can do tonight is ram home his claim for a senior squad position: The higher profile of u21 games, most of which are televised, does give the young man a chance to remind his West Ham head coach of exactly what he’s missing by appearing to overlook the England u21 attacker.
Colchester United v West Ham u21’s live on YouTube and whufc.com, kick off 19.45
He scored the winning goal, played ok the team looked a bit chaotic, Kante nearly did a Paqueta picking up a stupid booking then giving Colchester a lneedless ast minute penalty that Herrick fortunately saved. So AFC Wimbledon next.
I have gone beyond being blue in the face in saying it’s George Earthy’s time play him now…
It’s not on YouTube
Earthy should be challenging for Paqueta’s position when the latter is out, but instead Fernandez is pushed forward without diminishing his excellent performance. He could challenge for a left wing spot when Summerville is injured, neither Paqueta or Guilherme have made that position his own. Tough challenge for the lad
There could be lots of reasons, maybe he has signed a pre agreement with another club, maybe they are being careful post his injury, maybe Nuno doesn’t rate him as a few examples.
I’m sure George Earthy was on the bench at Old Trafford Martin, but good point he deserves a chance in the 1st team
George was on the the bench at Old Trafford so very much in line for some game time soon i hope.