Jeremy Ngakia is the latest example of the progress of a West ham academy system which is set to save the club a lot of money if it continues to prosper as it has over the last couple of years or so.
In world where only super expensive purchases keep some happy, the young right back has performed as brilliantly as any young prospect I’ve seen in a Hammers shirt during his early appearances.
He follows Declan Rice, Grady Diangana and will seemingly be battling with Ben Johnson for a first team place which could see Ryan Fredericks under a lot of pressure to regain the shirt.
And with Johnson fully capable of operating on the left side of the back four that in turn could see Aaron Cresswell facing a challenge.
For those who grew up in days when we were widely recognised as “the Academy of Football” it’s great to see our own youngsters emerging and is the upside of what has been a horrible season.
Speaking at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/march/03-march/jeremy-ngakia-i-feel-fans-love-pitch following Saturday’s win he said: “That felt amazing. I’m happy for the team and happy for the fans. It’s a great feeling, unbelievable – I just want to keep this up.
“I feel the fans’ love. It just gives me the energy, more energy on the pitch, it’s amazing.”
“I just want to thank the fans because without them I wouldn’t have the energy they’re giving me, so it’s amazing. Keep it up – please!”
Image via www.whufc.com
“I’ve just got to keep building on what I’ve been doing,” he explained. “Obviously I’ve played three games and I want more, so I’ve got to keep trying my best to stay in the team, keep it up and work hard for the team.
“I’ve just got to keep trying to make it hard for the manager not to pick me, and just keep it up, because the hard work’s paying off and I’ve got to keep going, more and more.”
The ‘ I feel the fans love. it just gives me the energy ‘ Should be quoted to all the angry fans out there who are demonstrating before a match.
Don’t stand around with placards – finish your drink 15 minutes before kick off, not 5 minutes after and sing – loud, so that the players can here you in the dressing room.
If you want to demonstrate, do it after the match.
I think the picture tells the story. The first 2 to congratulate Haller were both new into the team. What has been going on in the dressing room??
Was sat quite close to his position fiest half. Mid-half he went to collect a throw-in and the Hammers stood up to applaud him, well deserved and should happen more often. Let’s get behind the lads
He’s hit the ground running, solid and promising. A few positioning error’s probably down to a lack of communication and speed of PL. His consistency has help stabilise the defence. U23’s had benefitted from this. Ben Johnson is a better athlete and can cover the entire back 4,potentially a better player but his size sometimes means his control let’s him down. Has a wicked shot and creates chances. Having both of them around and available will only help the team. By the end of the season both could be ahead of Fredricks. Johnson should also threaten Cresswell’s position.