Graham Potter waxed lyrical about the West Ham academy when he was appointed back in January. Those fine words were well received, but actions speak louder. The West Ham manager needs to be true to the spirit as well as the letter of his earlier discourse on the young talent at West Ham. Unless the club are to continue to suffer the same old exodus of young talent, game time is needed: Tougher without Carabao cup ties or easy-win Conference League fixtures, but young players won’t wait forever for opportunities.
In particular, George Earthy amongst the current crop of talent banging on the door needs the opportunity to show what he’s got. The 21 year old signed a three-year extension to his original contract, which now expires next June.
Earthy impressed hugely in the championship for Bristol City last term, being named their player of the season, despite having injury issues and then fighting his way back into the side as a wing-back before reverting to his more familiar advanced midfield role.
The young Hammer decided to stay and fight for a squad place alongside Paquetá, Ward-Prowse and Fernandes: Indeed now that Lucas Paquetá has signalled his time with West Ham will end next summer, Earthy simply must get game time and show Potter that he can step up.
Only then, if he is given opportunity on the pitch, will he feel inclined to commit his long-term future to the club at which he’s spent his whole career.
Repeating David Moyes’ mistake with Divin Mubama and just leaving Earthy to sit alongside Freddie Potts, Callum Marshall and Ollie Scarles on the bench would be letting both these players and the club down. Remember Graham Potter’s assertion of :”a brilliant Academy that produces good, young players who I want to get to know and work with”…(whufc.com).
Time for those fine words to be put into action. Lauding the academy and its players is all very well, but they won’t hang around forever. There’ll be suitors queueing up next summer to take Earthy on a free, Bristol City reportedly ready last May to pay £5 million for the 21 year old at the end of his loan. Use him or lose him.
He’s scored 2 in 4 for Stoke in the championship, probably his level.
Having a bunch of academy players making the step up to the Premier comes once in a lifetime. We have had that privilege as all fans will know.
If two out of the current bunch make the grade we will be fortunate. You mention Divin Mubana, he’s not pulling up trees and that goes for a number of “prospects” over recent years
Couldn’t put it better myself!
George Earthy and Freddie Potts went out on loan and both did well, that’s all that can be asked of them they can do no more than that. Both now need to be given minutes, they can only come through if they are given minutes..
There is a very big difference between “good young players” and young players capable of playing in the Premier League.
We’ve let a number of popular, good young players leave over the past four, five or more years and there have been no glaring errors that I can remember.
The manager and the coaching team know more than we do. Trust them to do their job – if the youngsters are good enough they will play.
Divin mubana looked poor in the few premier games he got a chance in and hasn’t looked any better since he moved on so you have to accept the judgement of the coaches.