THE LAST few months have been challenging for West Ham United fans with gloom doom and despondency being the order of the day with the side occupying the relegation zone since December last year.
Indeed the Hammers have moved from what was an 80% chance of being relegated in January to a 50/50 possibility as things stand ahead of the FA Cup weekend.
Which feels like a good situation to be in: All things being relative. Clean sheets, wins, points on the board and the Hammers’ upturn coinciding with Tottenham’s loss of form offering a delicious possibility as the last nine games loom.
And from West Ham fans’ perspective, the news yesterday that the Hammers had reached an agreement and nailed down a two year deal with nineteen year old Josh Ajala feels like more good news. For those not familiar with the academy striker, Ajala has the pace and technique to add a new dimension to the seniors if his development progresses.
Two more years to make it big – and get a decent haircut: Josh Ajala
Now he has another two years to try and make an impact at the highest level. He certainly has the ambition:
“I feel like I’ve been in good form for a lot of the time, scoring goals for both the Under-18s and Under-21s. I want to keep scoring goals for the youth teams, and hopefully that will give me the chance to do so for the first team” (whufc.com)
After the recent departures of several young stars, it could be seen as a huge a stamp of confidence in West Ham United ‘s pathway to senior football under Nuno that has seen Ajala commit the next two years to the Irons.
The recent success of Ollie Scarles, Mohamedou Kanté and Ezra Mayers in breaking through to the Premier League side under Nuno has transformed life and future prospects of West Ham’s academy players. Good news indeed.
Yes needs to get his haircut. He can’t be walking around like that if he wants people to take him seriously.
Another two years to pull his socks up as well as find a new hairdo. A serious look instead of the casual training persona.
Image is everything – ask Todibo.
Ajala seems to eat up the ground like Pablo and very suited to a similar ranging role, moving between midfield and late runs into the box, or linking up play, more than a static no 9 role. So, you’d reckon if he does have a style of play similar to that of Pablo he would fit in just as well with NES/Jimez tactics; which would be encouraging for the lad.