OPINION
West Ham have finally agreed a loan exit for academy defender Reece Oxford, but the fan reaction to the move is not really what you would expect. The 20-year-old looked to have become a bit of a pain behind the scenes for the Hammers as he pushed for first-team football without doing enough to prove himself to Manuel Pellegrini. Despite becoming the club’s youngest-ever player in 2015, Oxford’s stock has fallen considerably among supporters due to his lack of progress, and an exit was expected to be greeted positively after Manuel Pellegrini ruled him out of his plans. Instead there are many fans who are fuming that the club have allowed the centre-back to leave with Pellegrini struggling for options in that position. In reality, Oxford was never going to get a game under the Chilean despite their injury issues, and this exit is one which makes total sense for the club at the moment.
Forever West Ham have rounded up some of the best tweets below.
You do realise we have 10 injuries lads?
— Sam🫧⚒ (@WHUsamzini) January 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/Westham2018/status/1091026104406687750
This makes perfect sense with Reid and Balbuena injured and Ogbonna being so crap as a back up. Genius. pic.twitter.com/EBlthr0Tsa
— djbhammer (@djbhammer7) January 31, 2019
DID YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY INJURIES WE HAVE
— J (@veryupsetfan) January 31, 2019
It's fine, we can just do whatever we do when we're short in any other position – play Antonio there. Seems to be the usual miracle solution, rather than actually opening the chequebook.
— Andy (@leedsandyb76) January 31, 2019
So with half our centre backs out injured Oxford is still frozen out by the club, what on Earth has he done wrong?
— Samuel Kirkwood (@SKirky7) January 31, 2019
Really wouldn't have loaned him out we need cover at CB.
— Gavin (@uptonspark17) January 31, 2019
