I have written previously about the enormous potential of Robert Hall and the indicators are that we could have another really top draw talent emerging from the Academy.
Hall has consistently played at levels above his age. Although only 16 years of age, he has appeared regularly for the West Ham u-18s and is making quite an impression with England U-17s. Earlier this week he fired the goal that saw the U-17s progress to the semi-finals of their version of the European Championships. All in all, Robert Hall has scored 8 times in 14 appearances for the England U-17 side. That is a better than 1 in 2 average.
At U-18 level for West Ham, he forms a very promising strike partnership with the Academy’s Colombian prospect, Montano. And both youngsters will be looking to speed their development even further next season, with regular appearances for the Reserves.
If Hall maintans his current rate of progress we could see him, and indeed his strike partner, Montano, entering the first frame by the end of next season. There are always ifs and buts where the development of youngsters are concerned, but Robert Hall genuinely looks to be a future first team star in the making.
Elsewhere, it was good to see Jordan Spence get his first team debut against Man City. Spence is a prospect that has a big reputation and he probably would have debuted earlier in the season, but for our poor season and subsequent relegation battle. He is one that should be nailed on to make further first team appearances next season, whether at centre back or right-back.
There are reports that Franco has been released by the club. Personally, I feel that is a big shame. Yes, he is 33 years of age, but he is also a player of significant technical merit. I always enjoyed watching him play and, for me, his performances (Scott Parker aside) were one of the very few highlights in a poor season. He could have been offered another year and, at worst, operated successfully from the substitutes bench.
Similarly, I hope that Avram Grant, or whoever becomes the manager, retains Diamanti and sets themselves the significant challenge of deploying him productively within the context of the team unit. Diamanti is a very talented forward and deserves another chance to show what he can really do in the PL. I have consistently suggested playing him in ‘the hole ‘ or as a second striker, playing behind Cole or Nouble. If Grant does, as rumoured, favour deploying a 4-3-3 formation then Diamanti could thrive in that system, alongside say Cole and Hines.
I will also be sorry to see the back of Ilan. He really stepped up to the plate in the final few matches and his equaliser at Everton was a pivotal moment. I can understand why he and the club might decide to part company, but if he goes, he goes with the my gratitude and best wishes for making such a vital ontribution. Ilan could have took his money and just gone through the motions, but he did not, he made a real effort. He combined well with Cole and gave us a timely boost by providing a real threat in the final third.
One of my greatest wishes is to see Mark Noble build upon his excellent final performances in 2009-10 and carry that sort of form in to 2010-11. I feel that his future is as a holding midfielder, winning the ball and using his distribution ability to make decisive forward passes. For that to happen, Kovac probably needs to make way to allow Noble to settle in that anchor midfield role.
Good luck to Jack Collison in his rehabilitation from injury. Jack had a tough time last season, with the sad death of his father and ongoing injury problems. We need this outstanding young prospect back asap, fulfilling his potential both for West Ham and Wales.
Finally, I also feel that next season will also be crucial to the development of both James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas. These youngsters have great ability and should really push on to tie down regular first team places. Similarly, both Hines and Nouble should make a major first team impact in the next campaign. Both have the tools to succeed, they just need to apply themselves and make it happen!
I am not sure how things are going to shape up on the transfer front, but we may well rely on these latter youngsters to deliver the goods at some point next season. Lets hope, when needed, that they step up and do the business!
SJ. Chandos.
They'll probably be released though
Can't say D&D have a good track record with our youngsters.
Great positive post Iain, agree with it all, couldn't have said it better myself
If one or two of Hines, Nouble and Spence make it to the first team squad on a regular basis and Hall or Montano are pushing for it later in the season it will have a huge effect on the team. I think we all know that the club are not going to spend big money on incoming players so these youngsters being able to make the final big step up is so important. Add to that a fit and firing Collison plus a return to form of Tomkins and things would start to look rosy. Ever the optimist!
I agree, SJ, about Noble. I too think that the holding role may be his best position. At his best he is tactically aware, doesn't mind a tackle and has good distribution. His shortcoming is a lack of real pace and the deeper role may help to negate that.
Really good, well considered, response to SJ's excellent post Roy.
When the two Davids announced the release of 8 academy players earlier this season I have to admit that I reacted negatively on this site. On reflection it was an understandable response that was driven by the fear and concern of the new owners potential dismantling of the jewel in our crown – the academy. I think my concerns were unfounded as I believe that Gold & Sullivan are fully behind Tony Carr and his team. They'd be stupid not to be really.
The fact that Robert Hall and Montano are coming through behind Hines and Stanislas is very encouraging. I hope they manage to break through to the first team squad together as it sounds like they are developing a good understanding as a partnership up front. Only time will tell.
I also see that Bondz N'Gala has now been signed by Plymouth. Good luck to him. Frankly the lower league teams must be made up when they manage to sign one of our youth players.
Releasing players from the academy is not unusual. A quite small percentage of them ever make it to the first team and decisions have to be made. The team that won the Youth Cup with Cole and Carrick was the best I can remember at West Ham yet, apart from those two, only Bywater, Garcia and, to a lesser extent, Adam Newton, made much of a football career. Many, of course, go on to make a career in the lower leagues and let's hope that this batch can do that. Some even resurface in the top level at a later date (Bullard, Garcia for example) as judging them at 17 or 18 is not an exact science and everyone makes mistakes from time to time.
I totally agree about Diamante, Franco, and Ilan,
But I think you are being overally optimistic when it comes to the youngsters, for instance Nouble, he hasn’t been able to displace the strikers at Swindon and as with at least two of the others they will not make the step up.
Well here’s waiting with anticipation to see what will happen in the next three months.
we missed hines pace last season real bad.i hope when he comes back to full fitness he hasnt lost that blistering turn of speed.i am in favour of a massive clear out of the squad.im not sure it should all be down to the 2xd'd though.any news on dyer moving on? that was a dead cert a while back but all quiet.
Nail on the head regarding Hines jon.
I'm sure that Kieron Dyer won't be with us next season. Whether we get any money for him or he decides to retire remains to be seen.
I hope we don't learn about player movements until the new manager arrives. It would be wise for the two Davids to sit tight and let the new manager make the decisions about new signings and sales of players.
have to agree on the article except from when you said "nouble should make a major impact next season", nouble is still 18 and he is one for the future not next season.
Hines will be released. Its nigh on a certainty.
Where did you get that one from?
Aston Villa are lining up a £2m bid for Cardiff right-back Adam Matthews…
I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my blog
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I am in agreement about the potential of all of our up and coming stars. Spence, Montano, Hall, Hines and Nouble all should feature in some part for us in the next few years and all would benefit from loan moves to decent Championship teams.
I also think Franco will be missed and should have been retained for his experience and good technical ability. A bench warmer no doubt but a very useful one.
However, I am not in agreement about Ilan and Noble. I feel again Noble has been through the motions this season and hasn't lived up to the talent we all thought he was. As always he's been grafting as much as he can do but I don't think that can disguise how average he is anymore.
Also I feel Ilan has been very lucky gaining the high praise he has been. His goals were very useful in keeping us up but I don't think they were down to a good strikers presence but more luck. OK, to a degree you make your own luck, but definately doesn't have the striking prowess of a Sheringham or Van Nistelroy. Him being released and McCarty being sold would be the best scenario for us this summer.
I agree with every word Iain. We have to remind ourselves sometimes just how much our Academy means to the club. Yet again, we have fine young players coming through. Let's give them a chance and enjoy their success