West Ham looking to maintain their ‘Academy of Football’ status

With the move to the Olympic Stadium just around the corner in 2016, should Barry Hearn finally put his handbag away of course; a little tour of the official West Ham site will tell you the youth system is still well and truly alive and kicking.

There is no better feeling in the world than seeing “one of your own” on the pitch, and with the Hammers moving to Stratford in 2016, some of the younger generation may well make their debuts in a stadium which saw so many Olympic dreams come alive.

As a subscriber to West Ham TV I always try to keep in touch with the Under-18s and the development squad and it is pleasing to see them both do so well.

The Under-18s are unbeaten in eight games, whilst the development squad are sitting pretty at the top of the U21 Premier League table.

So who are the most promising players in the academy as things stand?

Of course most of you know the likes of Elliot Lee and Sebastian Lletget who are the greatest hopes in the development squad alongside Dan Potts. Those three have been around the fringes of the first team for a year or two now, but how about those that are banging on the door?

Players like Pelly Ruddock, Leo Chambers and Blair Turgott, have all impressed at development squad level and in behind closed-door friendlies. Whilst Ruddock and Chambers have already appeared at Capital One Cup level for the seniors so it would suggest they are the closest to a breakthrough.

Lee finds himself out on loan at Colchester United, where he has scored one goal so far in his brief stay at the Essex club. Many fans are calling for the youngster to step up to the first team, but for me perhaps it’s a little too soon for the academy youngster. Although I do believe he has a huge role to play in the coming years.

At Under-18s level there are one or two exciting players coming through, including one or two nicked from other teams academies.

The Hammers have Kieran Bywater, the Under-18s captain; he is currently top goal scorer for the academy with 12 goals in 15 games. The winger is a clean striker of the ball and can take a mean free kick, when was the last time we scored direct from a free kick? Bywater could be the man to end that myth on a regular basis in the future.

Next there is Djair Parfitt-Williams fresh from his hat trick on Saturday against Reading; he is a quick and skilful winger who has impressed this season. Hopes are high within the academy that his progression will continue and that alongside Bywater he could become a regular in Development squad soon.

In the summer the Hammers poached forward Jordan Brown from Arsenal, said to be one of the best players to come out of the Gunners academy, it represented quite a coup for the Irons. Having recently signed his first professional contract at the club, Steve Potts and Tony Carr must have been impressed by his early season form. He bagged a late winner against Tottenham Hotspur, which will endear him to the West Ham faithful early on.

Finally the Hammers secured Nathan Mavila, who joined from Wycombe Wanderers two years ago, the impressive wing back come winger has pace to burn and a wicked left boot. He has become a regular in the academy this season playing seven games. Rumours around the West Ham camp are that the hopes are high for the winger.

These players are helping the Hammers to maintain their status as the “academy of football” here is hoping they live up to the potential and all get their chance at the Olympic Stadium in the future.

Come on you Irons!

Tweet me @Bowdenwhu