OPINION
West Ham United secured their biggest win since 1983 as they thrashed Macclesfield Town 8-0 on Wednesday night to progress in the Carabao Cup, and there were plenty of talking points to take away from the clash.
Braces from Robert Snodgrass and debutant Grady Diangana were complemented by goals from Michail Antonio, Lucas Perez, Ryan Fredericks, and Angelo Ogbonna as the Hammers romped past the League Two strugglers.
Forever West Ham have picked out three things we learned about West Ham v Macclesfield below.
The future is bright
Aside from scorer Diangana the Hammers saw two other academy players make their first-team debuts on Wednesday. Conor Coventry was introduced at half-time before Joe Powell was given half an hour by Manuel Pellegrini and managed to assist Diangana for one of his goals. All in all it was a proud night for everyone involved with the club as they saw three of their brightest young talents shine on the big stage. Some credit has to go to Pellegrini himself as he took the decision to move the Under-23s to Rush Green, instead of them training separately at Chadwell Heath. That looks to be paying dividends already after Wednesday.
Snodgrass proves worth yet again
The resurgence of Scotland international Snodgrass has been a feature of West Ham’s season so far, and the versatile midfielder continued that on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old got in on the act twice as the Hammers put eight past the Silkmen, and he will have really pressed his case for another start in the league under Pellegrini. Unfortunately for him there is so much competition in the Irons ranks this season that a starting place will be a tough ask, but he is doing all he possibly can to make that a reality.
Hernandez place under threat
Javier Hernandez has been out of the squad in recent matches through illness, and Lucas Perez started for the Hammers up front on Wednesday. It is widely accepted that Chicharito is the Hammers’ second-choice striker, but that may not be the case for long. Former Arsenal striker Perez put in an industrious performance as he netted his first goal for the club, and Hernandez must now be worrying about his place in the squad. The striker, who earns a club-high £140,000-a-week [Spotrac], has never really hit the heights for the Hammers, and if he fails to impress at some point this season, then he could well be on the way next summer. It is simply not worth the club paying him such a wage if he is not going to play.
