Westley exclusive: Bowen, Ngakia and relegation fears

Former Hammers academy chief and exclusive CandH blogger takes a look at the weekend match against Saints, new boy Jarrod Bowen and his right back protegee Jeremy Ngakia. Terry was talking to Hughie Southon

David Moyes picked exactly the right team at the weekend – a team with goals in it – and I am now far less fearful about relegation than I was a few weeks ago.

Jarrod Bowen couldn’t have had a more perfect start to his Hammers career and he will make a big difference because he’s a  genuine ball carrier who can go past players.

Premier League defenders are going to find him a real handful because by and large the game at that level is about one touch passing and the like.

Jarrod brings something different – something they aren’t used to – because this boy likes to go one on one with players and has more than enough ability to beat them.

He’s also very direct and fans of a certain age will recall a certain Hammers hero – Pop Robson. Jarrod is not dissimilar.

He could have the sort of impact as Jamie Vardy when he hits the top level. They are not the same types of player but this lad has real ability and although he won’t be our sole salvation  he’s gonna be a big part of it.

A word for Jeremy Ngakia who was among my kids when I was at the club. I sent him a text congratulating him on an amazing start to his first team career.

He responded thanking me very much and added: “I’ll do what I always do – carry on working and learning.”

I’d believed Ben Johnson was in front of him and with him now back in training we look very good indeed at right back.

To keep Zaba out of games against the likes of City and Liverpool, then a real relegation tester such as Southampton, is an astonishing performance. He’s shown enormous character.

He’s done what every youngster should do. Chances like this come along so rarely that they have to be snapped up and he’s done exactly that. He has a big future.

I can only remember one other player arriving in a first team and nailing down a place so quickly previously – Paul Konchesky at Charlton who arrived from the ressies and nailed down the place.

I believe we will stay up under David Moyes and that he will put a real structure into the club which has been needed for a long time and the best youngsters will be a part of it.

COYI