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Martinez first team claims – has his time arrived?

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The “pick him for the first team” lobby will rightly be out in force on behalf of Development Squad striker Toni Martinez after another two goals against Bristol Rovers last night.

His goal scoring exploits at  of late are pretty extraordinary and over the last two games he has scored two near perfect and  different types of goal.

Against Manchester City on Saturday we saw a low drive from distance and last night a perfectly executed dink beyond the Bristol Rovers keeper for the third in a 3-1 win.

His boss Terry Westley explains the difficulties when declaring: “He’s in the toughest position of all to make that breakthrough. There is so much more competition in the striking role but there is no question he is a natural goalscorer. A fine player.”

It’s easy to understand the calls for his inclusion at PL level at a time when the team is performing to a level which is seeing them dragged towards the bottom.

But that may be one reason NOT to play him at this stage as plunging a youngster into that situation can often do more harm than good although in fairness that hasn’t been the case with Declan Rice!

Thus far this season Martinez he has nine goals and a decision will soon need to need made on whether he goes away for another loan in January or remains to learn his game within the confines of West Ham’s academy and possibly the first team.

Despite the outstanding potential of this 20 year old, it is surely not on to include him in a team against Liverpool on Saturday although a place on the bench should now be considered.

I am pretty well convinced Carroll will be back against his former club anyway – a habit shown by the manager with an out of sorts Fonte against Southamton and Ayew against Swansea.

However, in a team not scoring many goals it seems reasonable to me that Martinez should be on the bench and given a chance to change a game when – as so often this season – it hasn’t been happening for us.

With Sakho out of the first team frame and the likes of Jonathon Calleri given their chances in the past Slaven Bilic has nothing whatsoever to lose in bringing him in as a regular squad member.

I hope he does

COYI

 

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

5 comments on “Martinez first team claims – has his time arrived?

  1. Totally agree hat he deserves his chance but we’re not creating the chances for him to take. After last week I’d give the whole u23 team and Westley a go.

  2. We scored 5 goals in the last 2 games, it seems to me that the priority is at the other end of the pitch, we need to sort the defence out.

  3. It is imperative for this big match against Liverpool, that we try and keep the ball well away from our defense-contest the game in the midfield (and wide) area of the game..

    I agree that Martinez should be in the first team squad; because of his strong build I am not that frightened about throwing him into the affray, but perhaps best off the bench.

    This will be a very physically demanding game, and we should be very astute about substituting (except in the case of an unexpected injury). I do expect some players to tire, so the introduction of some younger, fresh legs,(like Holland, Haksabanovic, or Samuelsen) could help maintain momentum.

  4. I think he agoulr def get on Bench & I agree with Max Holland % others should too at least for the fitness energy & passion.
    By Bilic won’t do it had perfect chance w Brighton & he wasn’t on.
    With Chic & Ayew & AC fit even they I agree he should be getting a chance I don’t see it happening.

  5. I’ve o ly seen Martinez and Holland once this season, when we played Spuds in some dopey European competition at Stevenage’s ground. We put out a very young side and both came off the bench. We lost 7-2 and missed two pens! Martinez looked very decent but at this considerably lower level. The step up is monumental and that worries me. However, the only way we will ever know is to chuck him in I guess. After all, he cannot be knocking any harder on Slav’s door with his goal scoring record. And if we don’t give him a crack, why would he stay around with us? So time to stick him on the bench and slowly introduce him to the PL.

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