The new era kicks off tonight: The latest in a stream of ‘new eras’ after West Ham’s fourth managerial appointment inside two seasons. Youngsters on the fringe of the squad will no doubt be desperate to impress ‘Nuno’ after Graham Potter appeared reluctant to play any of the academy youngsters: After a promising start with a debut for young Ollie Scarles, Potter soon went the way of Lopetegui and stopped picking his young talent.
Even the £20 mill rated Luis Guilherme was limited to a couple of cameos. What made it worse was Potter’s reliance on old thirty something trundlers in midfield whilst Freddie Potts, George Earthy et al were not even making the bench.
Sadly for George Earthy, the frustration mounts at a time when he will be desperate to impress. Rather than leave on loan in the summer, Earthy opted to stay and fight for a squad place in the seniors – despite being struck with an ankle injury and missing the summer tour.
We hear another injury has beset Earthy – exWHUEmployee reporting that the young Hammers attacking midfielder has limped into the treatment room with a hamstring injury.
another injury at the worst possible time for George Earthy
You have to feel for him, having impressed so much at Bristol City in the championship last season, Earthy would have been looking forward to a Premier League campaign and the chance to compete in earnest.
Looks like he has another set back to overcome: In the meantime a new-look West Ham midfield without the ever-present James Ward Prowse will take the field tonight. How frustrating that must be for Earthy to find his manager is ready to ring the changes and he’s not ready to hold his hand up.
It’s a shame but these youngsters are desperate to impress and the nature of the stop start playing opportunities compared to regular games means they may be more susceptible to injury.