Already fast fading in the rear view mirror, the Newcastle win has quickly been consigned to memory as West Ham move on to the next in their series of crucial fixtures as the club struggles to fight its way out of the relegation zone.
The three points taken last week mean the Irons are now in turn just three points behind 17th-placed Burnley who visit on Saturday – although it would take a four goal avalanche to jump above them.
So a ‘six – pointer’ in the true sense of the expression. Nuno hinted at his pre-game press conference that there’ll likely be changes, but kept his cards very close to his chest in admitting that several were struggling with injuries picked up in the Magpies’ victory. Bringing further fringe players from the academy ahead of Saturday’s clash was his solution.
Espírito Santo dives into the academy talent pool
The identities of those brought in and now training with the seniors for this weekend’s home fixture has been revealed: The standard.co.uk this morning confirms:
“Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that four academy players are training full-time with West Ham’s first team as the Hammers boss looks to youth to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Ezra Mayers, Finlay Herrick, Airidas Golambeckis, and Mohamadou Kante have all been rewarded for their fine form in the Irons’ youth set-up and will now hope to make an impression on the first team.”
On top of Freddie Potts, Callum Marshall and George Earthy – already in the ‘seniors’ – this marks something of a seismic shift in West Ham’s player profile. It also offers the fascinating prospect of another youngster making it onto the pitch for a Hammers senior debut against the Clarets: Ezra Mayers already snuck onto the bench almost unnoticed against the Magpies and he’ll be hoping to go one better at the weekend.
Considering that West Ham’s summer recruits in midfield – Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa are also 21 and 22 respectively, finally the Hammers’ are able to demonstrate that under Nuno, the ‘dads army’ days appear behind them.
Why do you keep saying we need to win by 4 goals to go above Burnley? 3 goals will be enough and a win by 2 goals will give us exactly the same points, for and against 🙂
I am not sold on this guy yet. We just won a game, making a massive 2 in 3 months, and he wants to do a Potter repeat and change the team that won. The absolute priority for Saturday is 3 points. When the team gets back to mid table and with a bit of confidence in the current regime, then they can give some time to these young players. Not wholesale, just one at a time, 20 minutes or so, to see how they respond and only against opposition from the lower ranks. Staying in the PL is our main objective, anything else is a bonus.
As close to the Newcastle line up as possible for Burnley. The only academy player in need of minutes at the moment is George Earthy.
Freddie Potts and George Earthy were successful on loan last season, both have a chance of breakthrough seasons, Potts is surely already there.
The Newcastle line up is competitive and should beat Burnley, the only experiments with it should be perhaps minutes for George Earthy. Every point is crucial as things stand.
Earthy playing for U21 tonight, John.
Shrewd move to bring the youngsters in at this point to see who can rise to first team level.
Those who make it and perform well now can restrict our need to go in to the transfer market in January, and make panic buys that fall short of what is needed to succeed in the premier league
It’s taken a long time to combine Chelsea youngster’s with many ups and downs.
Looks like Nano could be the person to take whu on same route.
Need to combine experience with youth continually reducing average age.
Guilherme mentioned by fans who also fits age group.
Burnley’ has excellent defence record and won’t be a push over regardless of league position..
Whu need to stay away from conceding early something which has become a norm.
Excellent news for the youngsters and us the fans
Can not wait until tomorrow
Looking forward to hopefully a good result
Let’s prove we are up for the fight
… and imagine the potential style of play at WHU once these lads are 22+, with first team experience, hopefully including Guilherme if it ends up working out for him.
Anyway, one step at a time, but with the youngsters signing long-term contracts, the efforts being put in by all involved, positive effects of PSR on the use of academy players by PL teams, there is a real possibility of seeing something special. That is how it feels because the standards seem very high and everyone is showing patience with a sensible approach. The temperament of the youngsters too is pretty impressive. A lot to believe in.
I like Guilherme Peter…training sessions are totally different to game time. He’s not let us down.I hope we don’t sell him just to raise a few quid !!
Me too Phil – there seems to be so much talent there. Never let us down either as you say, just like all the other youngsters. it’s brilliant to see.
Let’s hope so Martin. Good luck to those who get their chance, for those who have done it once and may get another your challenge is keeping to that level and improve on it!