George Earthy gets big West Ham boost without kicking a ball in anger

Last season, after just one Graham Potter game, the ‘Scarles effect’ was being written about as it seemed West Ham’s academy talent was about to be tried and tested under the new manager as had not been seen under either of his predecessors.

Lopetegui ignored them and Moyes used the teenagers sparingly but at least had the luxury of European Conference League fixtures to give his stars of tomorrow an outing.

Those stars of tomorrow are now looking more likely than ever to get an opportunity to impress under the new broom of Nuno Espírito Santo. Freddie Potts has already had two outings in Nuno’s two games and yesterday the Portugese manager chose to give Callum Marshall his debut ahead of the wily old pro Callum Wilson.

Regarding Marshall, Nuno explained his stance: “What I have been seeing in training sessions, [he has] energy, he is a good finisher, has good mobility, he can realise the gaps in the space. He has a good chance up against a very strong centre-half and he managed to get the header”

Nuno brings fresh optimism that youth can shine at West Ham

And as far as the young talent at his disposal: “The main reason behind that is we are going to need all of them, and we have hope that the young lads will bring new things”

Which will be music to the ears of George Earthy, still recovering from an injury but desperate, as are Potts, Marshall and Scarles, for a chance to impress and cement a place in Nuno’s plans. The talented attacking midfielder is more likely than ever to have opportunity in the coming months as Espírito Santo uses the full array of talent ah his disposal to try and get West Ham back to winning ways.

It would seem that Potts and Marshall have already made their mark and will get more opportunity: Earthy and Scarles cannot be far behind.