In case you missed it, West Ham’s u21 side overcame fifth tier Tamworth last night in the semi final of the National League cup with a superb 3-1 away win. The ‘development side’ now advance to the final to take on Boreham Wood in March – a huge feather in the cap for the youngsters and also for their head coach Greg Lincoln.
Young goalkeeper Fin Herrick – on the first team bench for the FA Cup game last weekend – created headlines with a fine penalty save to keep ten man Hammers in the game but hero Josh Ajala netted twice in stoppage time to save the Irons from a penalty shootout and see West Ham advance to the final.
Fin Herrick – a string of fine stops – including this penalty save
There’s something of as crisis developing with the talented 19 year old Ajala whose contract is running down – and who will become a free agent this summer. According to in the know journo Fabrizio Romano, Ajala has already laid the groundwork for a move away, as per last months’ confirmation:
“West Ham talent Josh Ajala, now in talks with clubs in France and Germany as current contract expires in June. 19 year old talent can sign pre-contract soon as he’s expected to leave West Ham.”
It’d be a big blow for West Ham to lose another vastly talented academy youngster after Emeka Adiele headed for Utrecht and Luton took Gideon Kodua – however it is proof that the academy are producing high level youngsters and of course, there’s only so many spaces in the seniors for these very talented young stars of the future to shoot for.
It would be ironic to lose Ajala if he does it again in the final and secures a trophy for the academy side as a parting gift.
Callum Marshall was an incredibly prolific goalscorer at that level. So if Marshall couldn’t get in the first team not much chance for this new lad. Send him out on loan. If he can’t wait for his chance sell him.
Get rid of him now, maybe buy him back in ten years or more when he is broken, the “West Ham way” 🤪🙏🏻…..
Good suggestions for this young lad given squad has been cut to the bone.
Unlikely Nuno will entertain anything positive as it’s to logical.
Already been discussed Marshal and Earthy shouldn’t have gone out on loan.
Maybe give Ajala some bench time for the first team, he’s a lively player and a goal scorer,, may do well late in games with fresh legs while Pablo is out
This this how bad this club is run. Another reason why Sulivan has to go
I’m no Sullivan (or Brady) fan but let’s see how the highly rated at WHU Sonny Perkins is doing since he quit:
Moved to Leeds 2022 – played 1 senior game for them.
Moved on loan to Oxford United 2023 – made 3 senior appearances for them.
Moved on loan to Leyton Orient 2024 – made 18 senior appearances for them.
Moved permanently to Leyton Orient 2025 – so far he has made 18 senior appearances for them but couldn’t even get on the field in their last game as he was a unused sub. Not all youngsters make it no matter how well they play in the youth teams.
The pot is deep when it comes to youngsters.
Present time whu are short of players and continually use academy.
If this lad could fill Marshal’s place until end of season give him a chance.
Nothing to loose and he’s free.
Really good game last night, I couldn’t see what happened in the sending off with all the melee, looked like the lino called it and the penalty, but also need to mention the other lads in a fine display of 10 vs 11 for the last quarter in which the winning goals came especially Battrum who I thought was excellent marshalling at the back.