So another West Ham Academy starlet comes off the production line and into the senior squad. A huge disappointment, however, that West Ham conceded late on in added time – much as everyone except the VAR team seemed in agreement over the high foot and the hand ball – which took the gloss off the young man’s occasion.
In fact it felt as though the Hammers had lost two points rather than fought well for a single one.
But Ezra Mayers’ debut from the bench at just eighteen years of age should be highlighted as another huge step forward for West Ham’s evolution from dinosaur club to 21st century outfit.
Throughout the Premier League now, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen year olds, assisted by modern coaching, nutrition and medical science are revolutionising football.
Until Espirito Santo’s arrival, the Hammers had been in the dark ages with Graham Potter refusing the likes of even Freddie Potts match time, preferring the thirty-somethings who provided mediocrity week in, week out.
Such decisions seem incredible now as Potts, Magassa and Fernandes appear to be on their way to becoming mainstays in the Hammers side and none of them over 22. Look back just a few weeks and what has transpired at West Ham is something of a quiet Nuno-led revolution.
Ezra Mayers – delighted at 18 to have made his West Ham debut
And it led to a memorable day for Mayers:
“Ever since I was a little kid this has been my dream – so to finally come on and make my debut – you know I’ve been on the bench a lot recently – even though the result didn’t go our way I’m still happy to get on the pitch”,
It’s exciting to see academy talent progress and make it through to first team selection, especially in light of the looming AFCON when the Hammers will be short of full backs.
Shrewd management by Nuno even amidst a tense last few minutes to get Mayers through his debut – he may well got more match time in the next few weeks. It seems the Hammers finally have a manager worthy of the title.
Now let’s hope the board give him the backing in January he’s shown he deserves.
Yes agree Jeep
If Mav goes down holding his head ( as most players do ) with a few minutes to go the ref would have had to stop the game and the high kick would have been highlighted instead of the handball !
Big changes at WHU all made possible by the Academy staff and players, doing what they needed to do and a lot more, all these years, without a lot of recognition.
These players in a few seasons time will be able to compete at very high levels. I know fighting relegation is no.1 for the club, but personally no. 1 is keeping these lads at the club, while gaining experience and making any new signings with an eye on the future barring rare exceptions (such as Messi😁). The Academy is our strength at last this club is on track to reaching up to its potential in the coming season, just a few quality additions (Fernandes, Paqueta, Summerville) that’s the sweet spot for clubs like WHU.
This is long-term too, unlike under David Moyes when the team could not continue after its european success.
I thought Potts would start, but as soon as saw who was starting, I was pleased to see him rested along with Magassa (and of course Wilson). The level of athleticism in the PL nowadays, they need protecting (probably from themselves as well). Sometimes it is risky what NES does, but all makes sense if you accept that he has an eye on the future, be it making sure P&M can avoid injury and grow into their roles or 2 seasons time. I think this is the case and it is great for the club to see this foresight.
Would outcome been different if Mavro had gone to ground?
Good to see the youngsters coming through Regarding the match every single person in football except var could clearly see the high overhead kick was dangerous play The game should have stopped and a free kick given
The high boot was arguably dangerous play, the ball off the arm close to the body was not handball as the goal did not follow immediately, the rule on that is very clear. Ironically if Areola had not made the save it would have been given as handball as then the goal would have followed immediately.
There’s a higher bar for handball if a goal follows immediately.
All by the by as given the chances we’d had we should have been more than one goal clear, if all our chances had fallen to Bowen it’s extremely likely we would have been.
I’m not persuaded by taking attacking players off to bring defenders on when holding out for a win, it invites more pressure than would otherwise be the case and it often fails.
Happens a lot with us..Due to being in a precarious league position more often than not….Scared football tactics rule im afraid.