U21 Loan Watch

[Iron Duke]

I don’t know about you, but I love it when a player makes it through the ranks to become a first team regular. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen often these days. This is a shame because giving young players a chance is an area where we could have an edge over the traditional top 6.

The current crop give me some cause for optimism, having won the FA Youth Cup and U18 League South a couple of seasons back. Maybe two or three can make it. No fewer than eight U21 players have gone out on a season loan to lower league clubs. Meanwhile, Casey, Scarles and Orford remain at the club. Hopefully, they will get a few minutes on the pitch, but I’m not holding my breath. Mubama had a few chances last season but mostly disappointed with his lack of technique. Inexplicably, he has now joined Man City to give Haaland competition.

So, to the eight who are currently out on loan. How are they getting on?

1. Callum Marshall - Huddersfield (League One). After a disappointing loan spell at West Brom last season, Marshall has dropped down to League One. So far, he has done quite well and already found the net. Yesterday, he played for 67 minutes before being replaced.

2. George Earthy - Bristol City (Championship). A lot of great things expected of Earthy. He didn’t make the squad yesterday. Is he injured?

3. Michael Forbes - Bristol Rovers (League One). Did not make the squad.

4. Freddie Potts - Portsmouth (Championship). Player of the season at Wycombe last year, but unused sub yesterday.

5. Krisztian Hegyi - Motherwell (Scottish Premier). Unused sub.

6. Patrick Kelly - Doncaster (League Two). Came on in the 78th minute.

7. Levi Laing - Cheltenham (League Two). Unused sub.

8. Gideon Kodua - Wycombe (League One). Came on in the 88th minute.

I make that 81 minutes of football between 8 players yesterday. Early days but a bit worrying. I’ll keep this updated throughout the season (if I can be bothered).

[Django]

Earthy starting for Bristol city at 12.30. Think it’s ok sky. Hopefully they are playing as a number 10 today as a lot games he’s been on the right, or even right back.

[Massive Attack]

Scarles is the one who I think would cope the best both physically and mentally. Seems to have a bit about him I like and noticed it first away in Romania in Europe. Really did impress me seeming unfazed. I'd be disappointed if Lopetegui doesn't use him at all this season. 3 times selected for the bench, so wouldn't had thought so.

[Takashi Miike]

scarles is already bigger and stronger than cresswell

[Full Claret Jacket]

I'd be giving Scarles minutes every game, I think he is the natural replacement for Emerson.

Orford also needs to be part of the squad and given some minutes, I was lucky enough to be at the Luton game and saw Earthy and Casey come on and the lift it gave the crowd was amazing.

I don't think either of them are physically strong enough for this league. They would get bullied and pushed off the ball. I think people underestimate just how strong other players are and the pace the game is played at. 
I'd like to see some given minutes if we could get a decent lead and control a game but lets face it we haven't controlled a game in years. 

[Mike Oxsaw]

It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer.
The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.
Rest in peace, brave Oscar.

RIP Oscar

https://www.whufc.com/news/oscar-fairs-2009-2024

No way!!!

Thoughts and prayers.

Cancer is a complete...well, you all know the rest.

RIP, young man, RIP.

[Massive Attack]

Tragic 

RIP young Hammer

[twoleftfeet]

It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer.
The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.
Rest in peace, brave Oscar.

RIP Oscar

https://www.whufc.com/news/oscar-fairs-2009-2024

That is so very sad, 15 years old.

RIP Oscar, forever a Hammer.

[Far Cough UKunt]

It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer.
The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.
Rest in peace, brave Oscar.

RIP Oscar

https://www.whufc.com/news/oscar-fairs-2009-2024

[twoleftfeet]

I'd be giving Scarles minutes every game, I think he is the natural replacement for Emerson.

Orford also needs to be part of the squad and given some minutes, I was lucky enough to be at the Luton game and saw Earthy and Casey come on and the lift it gave the crowd was amazing.

[Takashi Miike]

"He's been here 5 minutes and apparently he's supposed to be playing all these youth player's"

no, not 'all these'. I just mentioned one player, and using/developing him instead of moving our best right back out of position. even that is beyond this depressing looking cսnt

[John Drake]

You have all forgotten Mohamadou Kanté. Signed by West Ham from Paris FC in the summer and immediately loaned back to them. He has been on the bench for 5 Ligue 2 games (which Paris FC lead) but has yet to get onto the pitch. 

[Manuel]

Agree they are still both very young and youngsters do come through later these days, so they both have plenty of time, but I think the concern would be, as per Iron Duke's observations, is that they don't appear to be improving at their current levels, therefore hardly banging on the managers door, assuming he has one.

Another trend is players that do break into first teams very young can fade out, Ferguson at Brighton and Mainoo are two examples. A couple of Liverpool youngsters seem to be flatlining too. It's tough.

[Mex Martillo]

Not U21, but I was looking at how Aguerd has been doing at Real Socidad.

Played 12 La Liga games, with 8 clean sheets, 6 wins and 3 draws. Socidad are 6th in La Liga.
Played 5 Europa League games, 1 clean sheet, won 2 and drawn 1

Reported interest from Real Madrid and transfermarket have him valued at 35M
​​​​
He is quick and we are missing a fast CB. I'd like to see him back.

[Fauxstralian]

Scarles actually turns 19 tomorrow & Orford is still 18.
Obviously coaches are watching & assessing them but you only really know when they get the chance to play
Lopetegui seems as unwilling as Moyes to give them a chance
Had Scarles on the bench recently & thought when we were 5-2 down to Arsenal he could have given him 10 mins
Instead used Rodriguez who most think has no future

Personally I would have loaned Potts & Earthy only til Jan & brought them back for assessment 
Could still send them back out again … Potts is playing every week but Earthy seems on the fringes after he was injured

[Manuel]

Scarles rarely plays at left back these days. He’s more of a left sided midfielder or winger. He looks good in flashes but he should be dominating at this level.

Orford at times glides across the pitch. He definitely has potential. But again, he should be bossing these games.

I’m expecting more from these two.

Mmmm, they really do need to step up this season don't they. Gut feeling is they ain't gonna make it, obvs hope I'm wrong though.

[onsideman]

Don't make stuff up. I always approach the debate fair, it's only when someone starts having a pop at me, is when I then defend myself. Don't like it, 'Foe' me.

This from the bloke who unilaterally changed a Loan Watch thread into Lop Watch

[Massive Attack]

Massive, why are you such a staunch supporter of Lop?  You seem to have a lot of confidence that he'll turn it around.  

 

Because I believe in giving all manager's a fair crack of the whip to begin with. Used to be quite a trait of our fanbase down the years, but for Lopetegui he's practically not afforded anytime, people calling for him to go after the 8th game. I also believe he's proved in the past to deliver very good results and performances. That's why.

[Massive Attack]

Massive, I'm not sure why you have a hard on for Lop but your profanity ridden defence of the man is starting to become tiresome.

Don't make stuff up. I always approach the debate fair, it's only when someone starts having a pop at me, is when I then defend myself. Don't like it, 'Foe' me.

[Alfs]

Massive, why are you such a staunch supporter of Lop?  You seem to have a lot of confidence that he'll turn it around.  

[Massive Attack]

You're embarrassing yourself now. Go to bed

Dry your eyes fella. Hopefully he'll get the boot soon...

[onsideman]

You're embarrassing yourself now. Go to bed

[Massive Attack]

Grow up you silly cսnt

That's all you ever say to other's when they question your nonsense, you clueless dickead.

[onsideman]

Grow up you silly cսnt

[Massive Attack]

I trust him more than a lot of other manager's who don't have that same experience. 

 

You much more than trust him though, dont you?

 

You, Guillem Balague and Mrs Lopetegui 

 

Founder members of the fan club

And now you're even praising him for debuts he handed out 10 years ago

Get a grip

You ain't got a fucking clue.

Still gutted we won last night, admit it... "IN SPITE OF HIM"

[onsideman]

I trust him more than a lot of other manager's who don't have that same experience. 

 

 

You much more than trust him though, dont you?

 

You, Guillem Balague and Mrs Lopetegui 

 

Founder members of the fan club

And now you're even praising him for debuts he handed out 10 years ago

Get a grip