Diego Poyet of West Ham United during the pre-season Schalke 04 Cup match between FC Schalke 04 and West ham United on August 2, 2014 at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
West Ham are set to use several fringe players in the early stages of the Uefa Cup qualifying campaign which kicks off on July 2.
The Irons have three rounds to negotiate before August’s play-off round determines the 22 teams advancing to the group stage. The draw is made next Monday.
The manager and board have agreed that it is vital to protect the club’s key players as far as possible and we were told that the likes of Doniel Henry, Diego Poyet, new goalkeeper Darren Randolph and possibly even such as Elliott Lee could be included.
Andy Carroll is currently on schedule for a return to action and should he be fit these games will be seen as a perfect pre-season for the big striker.
A club source said: “It’s a great opportunity for us but the likelihood is that we will be using some of our younger players and those returning from injury.
“We beieve we have a strong enough squad to handle those early games as the PremierLeague campaign is the most important consideration of course.”
What is this madness? For four years we’ve seen the worlds greatest manager producing stylish performances using his favoured players as much as possible to get the best results. Everyone knows young players have to be loaned out and then released,squad players who show any flair must be sidelined too. Next you’ll be telling me the ball can be passed along the floor and skill will be used.
Great we have been waiting to watch Henry and Poyet ,
Adrein will need a rest after his honeymoon,
Lee could provide us with the goals we need and we will find out how good he is
Burke and the new left back can be given playing time as well,
Just get shot of Nolan and O,Brien first,