By top CandH blogger Allen Cummings
Ademipo Odubeko’s introduction to the game as a 54th minute replacement for Andriy Yarmolenko went some way to satisfying the calls of those who have been demanding the teenager’s inclusion over recent weeks – his withdrawal in extra time wasn’t so well received in some quarters.
One sports programme presenter who loves a ‘headline’ as much as he likes the sound of his own voice labelled David Moyes’ decision a disgrace and claimed it could ruin the player.
Certain sections of our own fan base were similarly outraged – although to be fair that doesn’t take much.
Charlie Austin, who happens to play the game, so he knows a bit, having experienced the highs and lows of a footballer’s life himself, actually defended the West Ham manager. “This will probably help him (Mipo) in his career going forward,” said Austin.
“It’s part of football. I don’t think Mark Noble will allow it to affect him too much.” And former Hammers favourite Trevor Sinclair tweeted: “Go again Ademipo.” With an emoji to stay strong.
No-one is pretending it won’t have been an unpleasant experience for the youngster. But football can be a tough place and there are numerous lessons to be learned.
David Moyes is rightly proud of his record of bringing youngsters through the ranks. There is no way he would have done anything on Tuesday evening if he didn’t feel it was right and justifiable.
He brought Mipo on at a time he felt was right – and similarly he took him off when he felt it was right – not only for the player but the team.
Odubeko has already shown an admirable maturity with his own comments after the game tweeting: ‘A lesson learnt and experience gained that I can only thank the manager for. Time to step it up.’
Almost four years ago at St James’ Park a fresh-faced 18 year old by the name of Declan Rice lined up with West Ham against Newcastle United.
During the first half he made a simple mistake which cost his team a goal. Declan was distraught by his error and it showed in his play.
At half time manager Slaven Bilic had seen enough and withdrew him. Slav took some merciless stick for his action that day. But he did what he felt was right for the player at the time.
Only Declan will know how that incident affected him. But the evidence we see now suggests if it did, it wasn’t long-lasting, and probably even benefitted him.
Chances are Rice will have had his own quiet word with Mipo to share that experience – and as Charlie Austin suggests so too will Nobes – it’s what good captains do. The advice to Mipo will be listen to the players and staff around you, and to the manager who’s behind you, and switch off that radio at the earliest opportunity.
Brimming ell he’s a kid who was lucky to get sixty minutes of a game against one of the biggest clubs in the world. He made way for Manuel lanzini, an Argentinian international and scorer of the late wonder comeback goal against Tottenham earlier this season, because the manager wanted to try something different. That’s it. End of story. No need to read anything more into it as far as the kid is concerned. He will be brought on slowly and carefully and no doubt he will get more chances in the future.
Spot on……..some are wetting themselves over his inclusion…..do they think that he should be baby stepped through the process leading up to a first-team appearance?
His time on the pitch against Man U will be more valuable than ten U23’s appearance put together and will accelerate his learning……. I wonder if anyone remembers Tony Cottee???
Totally agree mate. The real problem here are the ‘experts’ on social media who have been calling for his inclusion as if he’s already ‘the answer’ to out striker shortage. They need to leave managing our players and club to the grown-ups. As for the rent-a-mouth brigade on the radio…….
Spot On Allen….. and well-observed post which needed to be said.
Interesting post Allen – and indeed it was a baptism of fire. I first started supporting the Hammers in the 1977/1978 season when I was a student in Manchester (long story) – we were relegated that season and I remember being in the away stand at Old Trafford when ManU beat us 3-0 and virtually condemned us to relegation. We had a young centre-half that day who had a really tough afternoon – by the name of Alvin Martin – and he turned out alright!
I was also heartened by Alan Irvine’s interview after the Doncaster game when he singled out Ben Johnson for praise and talked about how the coaching staff had supported him after his nightmare game against Bournemouth in the Betway Cup
So hopefully Mipo will be OK
Inciteful again Allen! I was one wanting him to feature, and I hope it has started his process. We have great coaching staff! I was disappointed that we stuck him (or anyone) isolated up front with a big gap from the main defence, then knocked it up too quickly as an out ball. Two international level defenders mopped up every time. We’ll done Mipo!!
Everybody else’s dream debut – not really. But for Mipo coming on ‘early’ (ideally he would have got 5 minutes at the end when either side was 3 goals ahead) and getting half a game against Man Utd at Old Trafford should be a dream enough. Wembley and scoring the winner might be the stuff of dreams. The young man has taken the next step of many in his career and remains on the up. He will do well. He’s in good hands. Ask anyone.
COYI
Like the post says this might really help him kick on, it’s all well and good having a dream debut but it’s the hard lessons that shape you, he has had one of the hardest lessons you can get in the game and hopefully that will forge his character going forward, there are no hiding places especially not in a David Moyes team, if he wants to play every week he needs to earn it by proving he is worthy. If he is having a tough game, run down every lost cause, make the game painful for defenders, do the hard yards and you will do well. From what I have seen of him in the u23’s highlights packages he certainly knows where the goal is and is very capable at a physical level of stepping up.