“We couldn’t defend a fish supper” said West Ham’s manager following the Capital One Cup debacle against Wigan Athletic, who saw this competition as a chance to look at some of the fringe players who have been literally and metaphorically knocking at his door.
Many of the Development squad were included, and rightly so, as they sit on top of the Group 1 Table with memorable wins away at Everton and home to Arsenal, 5-1 and 4-1 respectively, and Ian Hendon deserves a lot of credit for this.
However, this is a different game to the highly competitive Premier league and, to a lesser extent, the Capital One cup. The Development Squad is by its very nature all about young talent who are asked to express themselves with skill, athleticism and youthful exuberance.
This is how it should be at that stage of development; but the problems arise when the likes of Jordan Spence, Rob Hall and Danny Potts are asked to make the jump to the first team. They are just not used to the more powerful and wily players of Premier League class, so the jump is too high.
Because these players have been setting their Group 1 table alight, I get the sense that they now believe they are ready for first team action and have been knocking on the manager’s door asking to play. But they have shot themselves in the foot after their dismal display.
In response to their knocking at the door and performance, Allardyce said:” They can’t come knocking at my door about not playing now.”
Therefore it is my contention that Spence, Hall and Potts in particular get sent out on loan to the likes of Barnsley to “harden up” and add a mean streak to their games and return more ready and able for the demands of first team football.
I think that it has been all too easy at West Ham for these players, and a wet Wednesday night in Barnsley against some robust Championship players is what is required. Who knows, a touch of appreciation and humility of how fortunate they are maybe added to their characters also.
Bear in mind that Spence was at Bristol City (very much “the likes of Barnsley”) last season and couldn’t even get on the bench for them. Not good enough.
yeah
also he must be 21-22 now
not a kid like Hall and Potts
Good point
What do you mean what to do with him?
Like is he a drain on the resources of the club???
Its a bit random, this page dedicated to him!
Not being able to defend a fish supper was a comment directed at the “TEAM” as funnily enough he was our man of the match!
So he didn’t get much game time at Bristol City, the manager that brought him to the club on a season long loan lost his job and the new manager didn’t fancy him. It’s fine making comments and criticism, but those comments and criticism’s need to be backed up by a good knowledge of football and if he is still at the club I’d say Big Sam still wants him at the club, and that my friends is good enough for me!
You have made your points well, Mr Cat
Well said The Cat; I’m sure BFS will make the right decision as and when.
I think Spence should be on the bench then given a chance at the end of the game for a bit of experiance. I like him and RB isn’t our strongest position so don’t see why he cant become a starter by the end of the season!! If BFS has no intention of giving him a chance this season then he should defo go out on loan but only if he can be guarenteed to play a part and not just sit on the bench in the Championship!
I was at the Wigan game and yeah we was shocking all over the park but spence was our best player by a mile good pace strong in the tackle and was always there on the overlap when we was attacking. I wanna see him stay and if demel gets injured or has a shocker I think he’s more than ready to do it. Famino also looks like a real gem
Personally I would love Spence to make the grade, he was certainly highly rated at youth level and was expected to make a greater impact than Tomkins. U just have to look at his England record. Represented and captained at numerous levels.
I do feel however, that given his age now his development must have big a wall. I don’t think he will make the grade now. Last year was make or break for me and he wasn’t willing to fight for the 1st team but expected to be first choice. BFS didn’t guarantee this do he went bak on loan to Bristol City, where he didn’t make the grade. I expected him to make a bigger impact which us disappointing. We have. More upside with the likes of Hall, Potts and definitely Famino. Love to see Moncur succeed as well!
All well reasoned comments.