In his latest exclusive blog for CandH, Terry Westley discusses the outward moves of thee youngsters who grew up under him as the former academy director at the club – Nathan Holland, Conor Coventry and midfielder Joe Powell. Nathan will be continuing his education at Oxford whilst Conor has moved on loan to Lincoln City while some were surprised that Joe made a permanent move to Burton Albion.
Tel was talking to Hughie Southon
It was good to see the manager make some early decisions on the three youngsters – all of whom were needing to see their immediate futures settled one way or another.
Nathan has been the most discussed of the three and I think the decision to loan him out is the right one. He needs regular first team football at a League club as he hasn’t yet managed to make a really forceful challenge on the Hammers first team squad.
I fully expect him to flourish at Oxford and come back a playerunder consideration by David Moyes every week next 
season – make no mistake he is going to become a top player.
It was good news that Conor Coventry signed a new deal with the club. He’s a very good player and eventually has every chance of making the first team squad but like Nathan needs regular football at a higher level.
Both of them have gone as far as they can at Under 23 level where the game quite frankly is just too easy for them. Good decisions in both cases.
Joe’s challenge is a bit different of course. He was not going to make it as a Hammers first team regular and the decision to sell whilst disappointing him was probably the right one. He now has to establish himself as a good professional and force his way back up the divisions.
I’d like to see Martin Samuelsen get a club or force his way into David’s thinking. There has been talk of Hull City being interested and I would love to see him back in the sort of form he showed on his first loan to Peterborough. Trust me that lad has serious abilities.
Thank you for that Hugh. I feel a little better as I know that as a supporter I’m NOT a professional and that I don’t see or appreciate the full picture. Whilst dissapointed to see Joe move on permanatley, I realise that at 21 time waits for no one and he needs to be playing mens football now.
Politics and political statements aside …. WH management gotta seriously start looking after their youngsters. Over the last season, and esp this past week is a case in point.
Whilst top teams (Manu, Lvpool, ManC etc) breed their youngsters for the big scene … being their first teams, West Ham sells them or send them out on loan.
Diangana and Nathan surely are 1st team quality … Nathan more in my opinion. And when does Connor get considered. And yes, Samuelsen will get sold too?
Then sadly Fernandez sold ti Fiorentina is the pits. Now we desperately need the youngster ????
So you think Terry Westley who took them to where they are is wrong?
There are others too,he only mentions same names time and time again even when he has left the club.Its wrong the 23’s are exceptional this year under new management I’ve seen them home and away.Stand out players who should be given a chance are Holland,Lewis,Powell and mayb Cardoso
Manager’s decision
Can’t believe most clubs in the Pl have intergrated young talent into their squad why can’t we, well the answer to that is we only want to sign has beans on the loan system and give the 30 and over 3-5 year contracts, with any player constantly on the sick list do a Carroll pay when they play system we need youth not player that Moyes buys it seems he wants to prop up his old club Preston
Actually I think the former academy chief is better placed to comment 🙂
Former! ..personally I think he should stay out of it …keep mentioning same two players time and time again .
Do you indeed. Well he will remain. That’s becos they are the prominent players. I know he was only the academy director of course. Wouldn’t know too much.
I do indeed,Holland yes! ..been sensational this season …Coventry no assists not scored a goal in two season let alone a shot,and fouls constantly.Has an x pro and watching them home and away Ido indeed! Have an opinion and for me the prominent players have been Lewis ,Holland,Powell,Scully….they get a mention and haven’t been pushed.
The reason theu were mentioned was because the ntire pieve was about whether they should have gone out on loan
He mentions the same players constantly and don’t even watch.He did the same last year.Id challenge him on any issue.
They were poor last year under him and manning ,got them relegated pushed boys he wanted to push and left!..ruined most of there confidence too.
Dont get it.
Diangana holland coventry samuelsun johnson powell ‘not good enough’ yet declan needed a run to establish himself.
Give them a chance, a few games.
The club are prepared to spend and lose big on players like ayew, feghouli, nordvedt, yarmelenko, Sanchez, tore, masuaku, now looking at a big offer for allen ?? Why ?
Surely they can see diangana kicking it for wba? 3 young midfielders who want to play turned away.
Give them a chance or may as well not bother developing players at all.
I agree ..they only push who they want mate.Alfie Lewis has been exceptional this year too ,played every minute of every game when fit ,never gets a mention.
Let’s blame the board 😎
Thank you Terry, I moan and groan about false information. This is very refreshing 🙂 COYI
Has an x pro I’ve watched most of the 23’s games last year home and away and I must say this year is a massive improvement.The coach Dimitri has got the boys playing much better football and believing in themselves.For me Coventry has been very ordinary struggles to pass and commits far to many fouls I think he will struggle against lower league teams.Holland has been excellent this year and deserves a chance Amongst the first team,Joe Powell also has improved and been a stand out player this year surprised to see him leave…also young Alfie Lewis has been quite exceptional especially in the recent game against Man Utd.These boys are! Good enough they just need a chance which they deserve after going unbeaten all year.