Amongst all the stories of players missed in the window, failed transfer bids and shortcomings in the squad ahead of the season, there are some bright positives to pull out of West Ham’s development squad and the exciting future offered not only by the likes of Marshall, Potts, Earthy and Orford- but the crop coming up behind them.
One of whom had a very high profile summer making his debut for West Ham against Manchester United. After being released by Chelsea, Preston Fearon made the leap to West Ham ( he says it was the ‘best thing that happened to me‘) and hasn’t looked back.
Not many Hammers fans will know that one month before the summer trip which saw him rise to prominence with a debut, Fearon was alone working in the gym in rehab following an ankle injury that forced him out of the Premier League Cup final last season. It was a manic few weeks:
“Speaking to the physios during pre-season, when everyone else was away on holiday and I was coming in, doing gym and conditioning training, I was just hoping to be back fit for the first session. And then a week into pre-season, to be told I’m going to Germany, that was already crazy…I was then told I was going to the USA. I was just so happy to be there, training with everyone.
Just a month before, I was doing rehab work in the gym at Chadwell Heath. If someone said to me I’d be playing against Manchester United next month, I obviously wouldn’t have believed them.” – Fearon was speaking to whufc.com.
Still just 18 years old, Fearon has to ignore the hype and praise and get his head down to make the leap from academy football towards the senior squad. Clearly he’s loved his progression so far and has a big backer in West Ham’s manager Graham Potter. Another year and – who can tell.
I just hope these academy players really are good enough and Potter gives them them the opportunities to establish themselves not just occasional 10 min sub appearances.
No signs of that so far.