West Ham followers on ClaretandHugh are convinced it’s time to give youth a chance as manager Manuel Pellegrini ponders his problems after two straight defeats.

Top performances from Nathan Holland and Joe Powell in recent games is prompting louder and louder calls from the fans to give our major prospects a chance.

And one regular follower of the CandH website, Zahama, makes an interesting  point  in telling the manager to look at what’s happening at Chelsea under Frank Lampard.

He said: “Apart from Diangana last season Pelle has not really given youth a chance – Rice was already established in the team. At the risk of being pilloried it is interesting to see Lampard giving young players a chance at Chelsea.”

And another, Mooro66uk added: “Joe Powell seems to be the glue that brings the u23s together. He also creates lots of chances and assists for his team mates.

When he came on as sub against Macclesfield last year he set up both goals for Grady Diangana. Grady got all the plaudits and a chance in the first team but Powell just got on with his job.

I’m not advocating slinging all the u23s in the seniors but to bleed the odd one on the bench now and then cannot be a bad idea. Lots of other Prem sides are starting to do it now. Perhaps in preparation for when the television money starts drying up? “