With West Ham’s squad noticeably stretched thin and bodies in short supply, one former Hammer is quietly making a mockery of the club’s decision to let him go.
Daniel Křetínský’s other team, Sparta Prague, have watched Andy Irving, dubbed the ‘Irn-Bru Iniesta’ by many West Ham supporters, start the season on absolute fire, delivering exactly the kind of energy and creativity the Hammers are currently crying out for.
It’s still early days, yet across the opening four league matches, Irving has produced two goals and one assist in just 254 minutes, instantly becoming one of Sparta’s most influential players.
Last season he managed nine appearances in the Chance‑Liga, while settling in, yet he still chipped in with two assists and an 89.2% pass completion.
Signed by Sparta last January for a bargain €1.5m, Irving was deemed surplus to requirements at West Ham after making only eighteen appearances.
Truth is, he never looked anywhere near Premier League level a squad‑filler at best. But drop him into the Championship and suddenly you’re arguably talking about a completely different animal.
Andy Irving’s post- West Ham form should get him back into Scotland’s national side
It also should be recognised that his rise hadn’t gone unnoticed. Irving earned a Scotland call‑up in June 2025, and with new national team boss Sebastien Pocognoli keen to widen the talent pool, the midfielder’s blistering start in the Czech league will surely put him firmly back in the conversation for future squads.
What makes the situation even more galling for us West Ham fans is the contrast: Whilst the club battles through a depleted squad and a chaotic transfer window, a player discarded for peanuts is flourishing elsewhere under the ownership of the same man who will potentially oversee West Ham.
It’s a storyline that will only grow louder if Irving continues to shine while the Hammers struggle for depth.
I personally thought that Andy Irving deserved far more opportunities.
He offered more in both attack and defence than others such as Ward Prowse.
He will continue to flourish I am certain.
Hear, hear!
Hate to say it but another poor performance from Olly Scarles. Accepted he is still learning but all to regular now and he is costing us points. If we are going to sell Diouf we must find a replacement and quick.
I have to disagree totally Mark in your judgement of Ollie Scarles.
He made a tackle he shouldn’t have that cost us a goal.
Ollie also saved a goal with a goal line headed clearance and linked so well going forward with Mano Solomon.
Be patient, young players need to learn from mistakes and Ollie will develop into a class if given further opportunities and better cover from more experienced colleagues.
I am with you, and wonder if Academy players who are played by Nuno are drinking from a poisoned chalice. Potts was clearly exhausted prior to making the serious error that cost us important points. Instead of taking him off, or going to a back three, he made an inconsequential substitution. Scarles could have used a bit of support too.
Youngsters have to work harder until they learn to position themselves tactically.
I’m more worried about Bowan he just does not seem to be 100% he is either not fully fit or there is something else going on ? He lost the ball a few times and just did not look like he had the pace that he displayed previously.
Good luck to the guy he was well liked.
Some you win and some you lose only time will tell.
At this stage whu need to get signings sorted and Nuno needs to sort fomations.
Does this manager have a system?, on yesterday’s evidence I think not!
This team is going nowhere with him in charge irrespective of who plays.
To be fair, the Czech league is a long way below even the championship level.
Take away the three big clubs & you’re looking mainly league one standard.
Good luck to Irvine, he’s found his level & stands out in it
To be fair, the Czech league is a long way below even the championship level.
Take away the three big clubs & you’re looking mainly league one standard.
Good luck to Irvine, he’s found his level & stands out in it
Hmmm, not sure I see it the same way Matt. When we sold him we were still in the Premier League and obviously looking to stay there. He simply wasn’t a Premier League standard player although not surprising to see him doing better in a much less demanding league. He would have done ok for us in the Championship I’m sure but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Why bother writing articles like this ?
Who cares what he does now,good luck to him whatever he goes on to achieve in his career…
He doesn’t play for West Ham anymore so genuinely dont care,just like I dont care what players like Paqueta,Fernandes or Sommerville go on to do,they dont wear the claret and blue anymore so not interested in any what could of been had this or that player stayed,they didn’t, they left so get over it….its like saying if wed won 2 more league games last season we wouldn’t have been relegated but we didn’t and we have been so its all irrelevant
He played for us, he wasn’t good enough in the system the manager plays. Thats it, really
All West Ham fans can do is wish him well. He wasn’t a PL players but he probably could have helped in this division, especially with the shortage of midfield options. There’s no evidence of Lamadrid being a better option.