One of Nuno’s current dilemmas, with one of the larger squads within the Championship, is what to do with his senior fringe players.
If Maxwel Cornet, Soungoutou Magassa and Edson Alvarez are not going to play meaningful first-team minutes, surely the best option is for them to be turning out for the U21s. The rules allow West Ham to field at least five over age outfield players so this is an option.
This may psychologically be an eye opener for all three players, yet equally every player only gets a place in the first eleven based on merit and not on reputation.
Playing in matches sharpens decision-making, improves fitness levels and helps players build rhythm. You can work on shape and tactics all week at Rush Green, but the intensity of a real game simply cannot be replicated on the training pitch.
For players like Cornet, Magassa and Alvarez, U-21 football would ensure they remain match-ready rather than spending weeks waiting for opportunities that may never come.
Keeping match fitness is crucial for all three fringe players
There is a huge difference between being fit and being match fit. West Ham fans saw that with the recent inclusion of Soucek who looks yards off the pace in his 45 minutes against QPR.
When injuries, suspensions or fixture congestion hit, managers often need squad players to step in immediately. The problem comes when those players have not played competitive football for several months.
Out of the three players only Magassa has managed to find his way onto the bench in recent games, yet is still along way from Nuno’s plans.
As Martin wrote earlier, Alvarez could quite possibly be earmarked for a January exit.
If Cornet, Magassa or Alvarez are suddenly called upon, the last thing West Ham need is players trying to regain sharpness on the job. Competitive minutes would be far more beneficial than simply training and waiting.
If those chances are not immediately available, they should not be spending time without competitive football. The simple answer is staring everyone in the face. Let them play.
West Ham need players who are prepared to make an impact from the first whistle, not players still trying to find their rhythm.
And for that reason alone, Cornet, Magassa and Alvarez should be playing football whenever they are not involved with the first team.
So , on the one hand we don’t see what’s going on in training, but Magassa, Alvarez, and should turn it on , that makes no sense.
There are enough games in such a short period of time that all the players can gain meaningful first team minutes.
We have to utilise our experienced players better, especially against opponents vying for promotion too.
For me, this ensures that everyone remains engaged and inspired, plus the players rotated ( midfielders) do not suffer from fatigue (Mukasa) and remain fresh to provide individual moments of dynamism that can unlock packed defences.
Isn’t it amazing that a writer on this site knows that a player that has been out for months is not ready to start a competitive match and our supposedly top manager doesn’t know that.i really fear for us.
I can’t argue with that Matt
I saw Arteta commenting that the way Madueke performed in training is what made him.pick him to start
So Magassa Alvarez and Cornet and others should start to turn it on in training
People are quick to blame Nuno for not selecting players but we don’t see what goes on in training