Hammers midfielder Conor Coventry has returned to the club after failing to make an impression at Peterborough United on loan.
Having looked particularly good for the Irons in pre-season, many believed he would become a member of our first team squad this term.
Instead, David Moyes opted to send him the to the Championship club who have been involved in a season-long relegation battle.
The 21 year old has started just four Championship matches for a struggling side and made eight substitute appearances, a disappointing return for the Ireland Under 21 captain who was pursued relentlessly by Posh in the summer.
Hammers on a season-long loan. West Ham have therefore activated their right to call him back and he will no doubt now be made available to another Championship or League One club.
It is a disappointment but shows that David Moyes’ view that he wasn’t ready to make the step into a Premier League squad at this stage was proved correct despite some criticism at the time.
This seems to be regular theme. I cant remember the last loanee that was a success. There have been a succession of young Hammers talent that have impressed in the under 23’s that have not been able to get into lower league teams starting eleven. Something must be wrong here?
Yes. I wonder if the problem is the U23 league (or Premier League 2 or whatever they are calling it). If players can succeed in U23s but not in the lower leagues, the U23 league clearly isn’t operating at a high enough level. It seems like the Spanish system, with the B teams operating in a lower league in the pyramid, might give our players better opportunity to develop. I think a West Ham B in perhaps League One (championship might be stretch) might be quite well supported too.
I knew at the time that Peterborough was the wrong club for Coventry. The myth that playing at a struggling club is good for a player is evident here.
A team that would challenge for top 6 would of been better.
He’s clearly a good player as he seems to get MoM for Ireland u21 every time.
Peterborough just wanted to stop him going to another club in the championship.
Hopefully in the squad for the Cup game.
Put him in the shop window
We had an exciting prospect a few years ago called Martin Samuelson, went to Peterborough on loan and looked to me like playing for Peterborough knocked all the stuffing out of him. Don’t know what happened to him. Think he played for Hull for awhile.