Of course for every West Ham supporter there is still the slim but fervent hope that the Hammers carry out their increasingly far-fetched ambition of completing their ‘Great Escape 2″, with three improbable wins from three and somehow overtaking Spurs during the last day encounter with Leeds United.
However, should the worst happen and the club find themselves in the Championship next season, there are at least four youngsters who would see this as a heaven-sent opportunity for them to earn their spurs (no pun intended) and grab an opportunity to cement their West Ham futures.
Relegation could offer huge opportunity to West Ham’s youngsters
At present, George Earthy is struggling for game time loaned out in the Championship with Bristol City. The midfielder would be a natural starter in West Ham’s remodelled midfield if the threatened player exodus goes ahead in the summer. With one year still on his Hammers contract – we believe (the club are tight lipped) – Earthy would be a natural successor to Mateus Fernandes should West Ham have to rebuild.
Lewis Orford is another too good for the academy yet unable to force his way into the Premier League squad and would be due for a loan out next season: Relegation would surely give the gifted playmaker a chance to excel within a senior squad set up.
Callum Marshall is shortly to complete an un and down inconsistent campaign at Bundesliga second division side Vfl Bochum. Another who already has Premier League experience, Marshall would hope to show his mettle by hitting the ground running as a Championship goalscorer. At no cost.
Including Orford (r), there’s a whole host of West Ham youngsters who would be ready to step up to Championship football
Kaelan Casey has had a mixed season after loans at both Swansea City and Leyton Orient, with 16 appearances for the league one side. Famously deployed as Lopetegui’s fourth- choice centre back in the Premier League campaign of 2024-5, Casey would relish the chance to nail down a first team place in the championship.
And there’s more…
Fin Herrick, of course, along with the likes of Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa would be frontrunners to start in August in a hastily remodelled West Ham squad without the superstars. Ollie Scarles could look forward to week in, week out football as a Championship left back.
As the proverb says, every cloud has a silver lining. And for these eight young Hammers, all twenty three or less who are just fringe players or loanees at present, the catastrophe of a relegation might just be a blessing in disguise. Seven academy players in the first team. Now that’s a team I’d pay to watch.
Thought for a long time certain refs are sub standard ., Saturdays ref certainly 1of those in my opinion,said for a long while poor decisions are going to relaxation a team sooner or later , can a club sue . Amazing how Summerville can be taken out time and time again and no ref has shown any protection.
“Now that’s a team I’d pay to watch”. You can do that now watching an 21s game! But if Earthy cannot get game time at Bristol City,then why’s he suddenly good enough for us as a midfield “general”?
Even at Championship level some of these players won’t make it.
This league is unforgiving and takes no prisoners.
George Earthy jury out – can’t get game time at Bristol City but would be our midfield general ? We’re going to need some experience and leaders in the Championship.
Under Sullivan, not sure any point trying to get back to the Prem’ just so we can tread water again. This club has to get it right upstairs so we can move forward.
Ridiculous clubs like Bournemouth with 11k gates can make us look mugs….
The most sense I have seen in a long time. Some serious players in that league who have had solid careers. Most champ teams would destroy our youth.
Add kante, i think we will keep most of these players, whether or not they are good enough to get us back up is the question
Totally deflated after this weekends disaster. Forest always had a better overall squad than us in my opinion but are up for a fight as today at Chelsea proves , who had the weakest side on paper today ?Obviously a straight fight between 2 now, we’ve had chances to move further away from the bottom but always as ever blow it. Can we accumulate any more points ? The rote set in long ago , good couple of seasons , won a trophy but In my opinion were struggling in the league, big hammering, small ageing squad and always seemed to buy the wrong players and that was under Moyes . So bring on the clowns 2 so far and counting. Can nuno get the side to score goals against arsenal, i doubt it , we’ve got to win after all. Gone is the need for caution we really have nothing more to lose. Sullivan should do the right thing and atleast step down as chairman . We’ve unfortunately got what we deserve, 60years a fan with a son and grand children as well . Here’s to a miracle but it doesn’t happen us .
Surely Josh Ajala is worth a mention Martin?