A young Baptiste may get Dinamo call-up
U23 manager Mark Robson may have given Hammers fans a big hint on David Moyes likely team selection for Thursday night when naming his 11 for the 2-4 win over Palace today.
He made six changes from the team which defeated Swansea 4-2 on Friday afternoon, with several intriguing introductions!
Harrison Ashby, Jamal Baptiste, Aji Alese, Manny Longelo and Sonny Perkins were nowhere to be seen leading to the possible conclusion they will be on first team duties this week for the Europa League group game.
17-year-old centre-back Michael Forbes, our U18s captain, made his first start at U23s level today having appeared for ten minutes at Fratton Park in the 1-0 Papa John’s Trophy win over Portsmouth last season.
Palace opened the scoring on 9 minutes with West Ham leaving it late in the first half to equalise courtesy of Armstrong Okoflex.
Palace took the led again in the second half on 52 minutes to make it 2-1 but Okoflex replied six minutes later to make his brace and all level again.
Just after the hour mark Okoflex completed his hattrick for West Ham to take the lead for the first time with Swyer making it 4-2 to the Hammers on 81st minute.
West Ham top the Premier League two division one table on 31 points after 14 games, four points ahead of second-placed Spurs.
What a wonderful opportunity to give a real boost to our young players! This is not a ‘ must win’ so let Jamil step in, and the others like Sonny on the bench and maybe subbed on. They are part of the squad. Meanwhile tell Kral and Vlasic it is up to them to drive us on.