Put in the Kids? Show me the money!

Yesterday Hugh blogged about encouraging Manuel Pellegrini to let youngsters loose this season to allow the blooding of more academy prospects before the end of the season. Hugh pointed out that with just seven games of the season left and with the club entirely safe from relegation there are compelling reasons why Pelle could be tempted to give some youngsters a chance.

I completely disagree with those sentiments!  We need to play for 7th place and that all-important merit payment worth £1.9m per place to West Ham. We currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League just two points off the seventh spot but equally just 4 points above 12th place so we could easily fall in positions as well as rise unless we are careful.

Now is not the time the gamble with youngsters and take the risk of dropping down the table. West Ham budgeted for a tenth place finish this season so a 7th place finish means an extra £5.7m to spend while a drop down to 12th place could mean £3.8m less in the summer transfer budget. It is as simple as that.

These might not seem huge sums but with a loss, this season estimated to be between £25 and £30m we need to bring in as much revenue as possible to match our ambitions.

Sorry, but It is not the time to blood the youngsters!