Exclusive ClaretandHugh blogger and former Hammers academy chief Terry Westley has been following the Hammers terrible slump in form from Japan where he is now J-League technical director. And he believes that Manuel Pellegrini has to give one of his former academy player – Nathan Holland – his chance and he explains why, when and how…right here only in CandH.
Terry is talking to Hugh Southon
I have a very straightforward message for Mauel Pellegrini – how can anything be lost by giving Nathan Holland his chance in the team. There’s been talk about Grady Diangana returning to the club but that can’t happen until January anyway and we need somebody to make a difference NOW!
Nathan is a player who could come in, excite the fans, the squad and make a real difference. Ok, he may not but my question is Why not try him given that we are playing the same individuals every week who aren’t doing it.
Nathan will have no fear and won’t even be thinking about our slide down the table. I know that boy well and all he wants to do is play first team football.
And with Manuel Lanzini injured there’s the opportunity to play him down the left side and put Felipe Anderson into the hole. Nothing else makes much sense to me in the present circumstances and I would urge the manager to go down that road.
The boy is in the form of his life right now, scoring goals and making dazzling runs. I can see no reason to hold back any longer on giving him his chance.
Something needs to happen and I am really surprised the manager hasn’t included him so far. He can make the difference.
Terry will be back with more views on the current situation during the international break!
You are in a position to know , Terry . After all it was you that had guided him through his career until just recently . The problem is we have a cloth eared , stubborn , old stick in the mud for a manager . And letting Grady go out on loan was a huge blunder to boot . Rather like letting Tompkins go to Palace .
100% agree. Couldn’t do any worse than Fornals or even Yarmo who’s gonna need time to get back in form. Dianganna always gave us something to cheer about even though there weren’t many results from his good plays. Seeing a youngster come in might buck the ideas up of Anderson and Snoddy is a given anyway. The biggest problem is who’s gonna replace Nobes unless we stick Zaba in there where he wouldn’t have to do so much running against young, fit wingers. Zaba and Rice- it might work- would rather see that than Sanchez. I’d also play Ajeti along with Haller-something’s got to come of it eventually but being young he has to track back as much as he can and not leave us with 2 ambling along upfront when we don’t have the ball.
Pellegrini will bring Sanchez in and put Snodgrass on the wing rather than play Holland
Pelligrini single handedly split up a team that was on the up . Now he has to justify his actions . Not doing much to aid his cause . Which is a complete mystery to the fans . One up top and no pace in the team . Playing with lead in thier boots and ball watching . We are Not only a yard behind But also don’t look like drawing level let alone stretching out in front . Holland & Diangana might just give us that if the manager changes the system and uses the youth at his disposal . He can always change his mind on Grady but we know he won’t . Not sure he cares enough about West Ham United . Living on His past glories alone . Sounds like pretty damming stuff I know , but I can’t see any other way to describe what I’m seeing .
Where is the all conquering manager we were promised with so much enthusiasm by the board . Let’s not forget He wasn’t first choice either . He needs to do something radical and soon .
Pellegrini is a clown – as Terry states, Nathan certainly can’t do any worse than the current dross we have blighting the shirt.
Think maybe if he was South American “The Hopeless one” would have given him a run out by now.
Still, not too worry, Pellegrini will be gone soon after the Spuds beat us then whoever comes in will give Nathan and a couple of the other kids showing potential, a game.
Get rid of him remember grant here we go again
It’s what has been said time over give Holland a go..and now Terry is on board it might swing it..and Scully on the bench or start him with Seb up front..MP must listen to others and not be so stubborn and clueless imho
If by some miracle the manager actually picks an U23 I for one would be enormously surprised. The U23’s have been in great form and yet he continues to pick the same underperforming players week in week out.
Do SOMETHING Mr Pellegrin that isnt playing Zaba as a tactical change