In another report which bodes well for West Ham’s midfield this summer, the Hammers’ on-loan George Earthy has been thrilling one former attacker with his array of passing: Quite how much the Irons will need Earthy next season is becoming clear each time the Hammers midfield puts together another dull, ‘side-side-back’ display of turgid passing.
So the comments published last week by msn.com in their article sub-headed ‘Former West Ham United Striker Leroy Rosenior has hailed Hammers loan star George Earthy for his forward passing after Bristol City held Swansea 1-1″, are especially pertinent when viewed in the light of the Hammers’ senior squad struggling to create chances whenever Lucas Paquetá’s performance dips.
Earthy has had to work really hard for his opportunity at Bristol, being on the bench for much of the season and even filling in as a right sided wing-back in several games which will have certainly sharpened him up physically.
Two goals and two assists in the last five is much more like it from Earthy. As Rosenior saw it:”We talk about how forward passes create opportunities, and there are two fantastic forward passes by George Earthy there. He makes a little movement, changes his angle, gets it back, and another forward pass; he could easily go sideways or keep running across the 18 yard line, but a little flick with his outside foot into Sykes here… Any striker in the world would be delighted with that pass”
Many Hammers fans were disappointed when Earthy, who’d made four appearances and scored under David Moyes, was loaned out by Lopetegui in August, leaving West Ham light on creative talent in midfield.
Come the summer, Earthy will be back at East London desperate to impress Potter and provide his midfield creativity to entertain a talent – starved London Stadium.
Blah blah blah…..as if Earthy would get any game time with us anyway
I thought why send them out on loan (Earthy & Potts) but away from the glare of LS I get it, because they can play more regularly and most of all, have added responsibility/influence on the pitch with teams who can really use them – that is rare. I guess I have figured out what everyone else already realized. Those responsible for these placements (includes Carlton Cole I think?) are doing a brilliant job too. The whole setup seems to be clicking.
Hey, that’s unfair on Lopetegui!
The man clearly had an eye for and knowledge about the youngsters at West Ham. Just ask Jethro Medine.
He told a story on a recent podcast about how in a training session, he was given a bib by Lopetegui and told “Go play. You’re playing striker.”
It was a fantastic moment for the lad getting to lead the front line in a training match alongside the first team. That young, highly promising, uhh… right-back.
(Incidentally, he also said that Wan-Bissaka noticed him not looking into it and asked his position and he told him “Right-back… I don’t want to play striker…” and Obi Wan told him to play at RB and he’d go up front in his place so that was decent of him)
He deserves his chance come home soon
I wasn’t disappointed he went on loan, I think it’s what he needed and is getting the benefit from now.
Sorry, back + sideways passes were created by the Moyes/Rice combination.
Mark Noble was the last midfielder who could get balls into the channels + over the top, esp for Arnautovich + Antonio to run onto and score.
Well done Earthy. May Potter see + action your recall for first team duty. God bless.
Definitely miss seeing Noble curling passes over the opposition’s defense. Seen less great passers of the ball because of tiki-taka football I guess. We have Cresswell, JWP I guess, but Noble was doing it as regular as clockwork.
We are all looking forward to having you back George!