West Ham’s advance into Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off final last night (Mon) via a 2-1 victory over Wolves at Molineux will raise the issue of whether one of two of them should get a first team chance over the last couple of first team games with “nothing at stake.”
The young Hammers face Peter Beardsley’s Newcastle kids in the final and subject to final confirmation that will be played at St James’ Park on Friday evening (May 12).
The match has become an away game as PL rules say the team finishing highest in the league hosts the game. The Geordies finished third and ourselves fourth.
George Dobson, Nathan Holland (pictured above) and Declan Rice in particular look outstanding prospects whilst Martin Samuelsen has regularly produced fine performances and converted an extra time penalty with great aplomb last night.
Now we move on to final and it remains unlikely that the kids will be given the chance to show the are alright at the highest level !
It remains a huge step up from under 23 PL 2 level to the first team squad although Rice has been on the bench already this season.
And with the arrival of the positional money in the Premier League the club will be looking to finish as high as possible to cash in.
However, after some lean years at Academy level it is great to see so many decent prospects emerging at last and we should take great pleasure in that.
COYI
It’s certainly a huge game, Holland is the one that always catches my eye, really good movement and always seems to play the right pass.
Yeah it’s a biggie isn’t it? I wonder who we will field i.e. over age players permitted and loan players? Also youth players currently out on loan?
Martinez and Quina are both out injured, but we still put out a very good young side.
This is the best we’ve had for 20 years, but it will be hard for them to push into the first team, because like all first teams we always need points.
The players who could be fast tracked in between now and the start of next season are, Quina, Rice and Burke. I think there are others who could force their way through, with more hard work in the U23 and on loan.
Im a bit out of touch with the kids this season.I used to go to RG to watch them but aint had the time this year.
Oxford obviously stood out last year and Declan Rice looks a player.
Dont want to p*ss on anyones parade but its only Div2,if they were mixing it with the Citeh,Chelski and Gooners kids in Div1 i might be a bit more excited 😁
I agree. That’s why loan spells are so vital. Hopefully we’ll be in the top U23 division next season.
Yeah seems to me that if we want kids to go out on loan Bradford is the ideal club.They appear to really give our lads a chance.Burke and Cullen were both made integral parts of the club and they seemed to really benefit from playing in a good Bradford team.
Bradford with Bielsa as manager would be unstoppable Fishy 😂😂
LOL sorry for the delayed chuckle Rads I was out wandeling.
I like Bradford too. I watched both the play-off semis and Cullen played very well overal. They love him. Can’t wait for the final.
There are a few youngsters that need to be given the chance sooner rather than later or we will end up letting them all go for nothing & find it hard to attract new talent. Burke, Cullen & Oxford must be top of the queue
If Bradford go up through the play-offs we could look at sending Holland their and maybe Oxford who could really do with a full season even if it is at league one level, they have time on their side.
I think it’s important because if we were in the top division up against the big sides our youngsters wouldn’t need to go to division one clubs. Anyhow I’d want a West Ham claret and blue clad horse to win so I’m up for this.
No GW. I don’t mean Andy.