CandH Exclusive by Hughie Southon
Harrison Ashby looks certain to join Newcastle in January or at the end of his contract in June next year.
The young right back is one of the best prospects in the academy but we are being told there is no chance of him remaining with the Irons.
ClaretandHugh was the first media outlet to reveal that he shared the same agent as Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
And we learned from a key Hammers contact this afternoon (Mon) that the player has made it clear he wants to leave for the north east.
It’s terrible news for the Hammers who are struggling at right back where Ben Johnson’s contract talks are on hold given given his current poor form and Thilo Kehrer looks a real liability in the position.
Ashby has made just one Premier League appearance – against Arsenal -in the last two seasons and two in the Conference against Viborg and FCSB.
Howe. meanwhile, remains very keen to take him to St James’ Park after making moves in the summer and it seems from what we are being told that a miracle will be required to keep him at the London Stadium.
You can’t blame him for wanting away, under David Moyes there is little chance of him getting any First tram football. The same can be said for Connor Coventry and for those other boys who played in defece against one of the European Trams last season – Alese, Baptiste and Longelo. It’s hard to understand Moyes’s thinking at the best of times but the way he treats young players is almost criminal! 🤬
This is the inevitable result of Moyes not being interested in the young players or even attempting to integrate them into the first team. He would rather play his old regulars out of position, and even when they are out of form, than give youth a chance. Ageing, tired and stale is what the first team squad has become as a result of this. I continue to maintain that there is no point in having an Academy while Moyes is in place. It is another reason, and there are some good ones, why it is time for him to go.
Surely the number of academy prospects leaving the club must be a concern for the owners.
Some may not make the step up, as has been seen with a few that pushed for a move, having not secured the big money contract their agents believed they were due.
But genuine prospects like Ashby?
Of another concern to the owners must be the cost of running the academy for very little return, most players being allowed to run down their contracts.
The loss of academy talent has been engendered in the last two years and it’s down to the manager. We’ve lost too many, the trend is set, the boys of U18 will be next. A criminal waste that has trashed the good name of the most famous Academy in football.
I’m dont agree with this story. How is Ashby going to get first time football at Newcastle? As Eddie Howe are you going to drop Trippier??? So he would only get an opportunity due to injury, and I’m guessing Howe has at least another more experienced player for cover there should that happen.
Answer me this…. which academy players that have left during Moyes’ reign are lighting up the Premier League? The Championship? I can’t think of any.
In fact who was the last academy player we let go that became a huge player elsewhere?
Surely the bigger question should be why our academy isn’t producing quality?
I agree Big fan Pete, Diffucult for a manager to play kids in front of premier league internationals. I do think Ashby is a prospect though but if he’s had his head turned by Eddie Howes agent, who is also his agent I’m not sure there’s much we, or Moyes or anyone else can do about it. Newcastle is now the richest club in the world. Personally though I think if a young player wants out it’s a slap in the face for all his teams coaches that have got him to where he is so like the lad Perkins who left for Leeds, I say if you don’t want to play for West Ham then good riddance.
Fully agree with bigfanPete.
I also blame agents, is there a signing on fee involved for which they will get a juicy share?
It says more about Newcastle’s lack of talent in their Academy. Like others who have left for short term monetary gain I’ll keep an eye out to see if any make the Premier grade.
PS shan’t be holding my breath!
Rather than concentrating on young players that dont want to play for West Ham I’d rather concentrate on genuine talents like Declan Rice and natural goalscorers like Callum Marshall that do want to play for West Ham and are willing to sign a professional contract with us.