Guest Post by Rugby Irons
Too Much too Young
You’ve done too much , much too young so the lyrics go, but not if you are Rashford, Iheanacho or Dele Alli . All three have stormed into the Premiership and again proved the old adage if you’re good enough, then you’re old enough . Which now begs the question are we brave enough to unleash the undoubted potential of Samuelsen , Cullen , Oxford , Martinez and possibly Burke? All five now have experience under their belt and even though this at a lower level they have come through with flying colours . But and it’s a big but when do we play them? Are we going to ignore the evidence and keep them on loan or in the Development squad or will Slaven unleash them?
For me the answer is simple. A win at WBA and a loss for United and it’s Euro game on. You go with your strongest team until it’s impossible to progress up the table . There are 12 winnable points and they might still be achievable and still get us into Europe. However if we lose at the Baggies and United turn over Leicester that’s then a six point lead and at least equal goal difference , which obviously means needing to beat United and Stoke just to get level with the Mancs them having two games to get a point. And that’s ignoring Liverpool who have an easier run in!
So for the Albion , full strength Captain and steam ahead , the bigger the win the better as goal difference may still play a part . But if the unthinkable happens, then what to do with three games left ? My view , and with due respect to the Old Lady and the clubs proud traditions I would start with Oxford and put Samuelsen and Cullen on the bench . That still leaves five others , just in case. Now assuming that the U21’s don’t lose at Hull , we will have three winners in the squad before parading the Trophy ( I might be getting ahead of myself but it’s my story!) Oxford will have no problem with Swansea who are already on holiday and so I would make a clear statement and rest Lanzini for Samuelsen and take off Nobes with ten to go to give Cullen a run out. I obviously would add Martinez , but I’m not sure if he is eligible , and if not that still leaves one substitution for tactical usage.
Now given what I have said that means a number of players , Reid (Oxford) ,Lanzini ( Samuelsen) , Noble ( Cullen) , Sakho ( Martinez) get a rest and will be even fresher for the Mancs on Tuesday. As this is the home game of the Century , we have to be at 110% . A win , any win is the least we must get. Just one last time , shove it up United and all they stand for ( bit like the Romans, what have they ever done for British football) . Fergie will be there , so a 97th home winner would be ideal.
Which then brings Stoke. By now the season will be very much on or ended, in which case blood the kids from the bench. If the potential for these players can be given a glimmer of what’s to come, the club could save millions, the supporters have the tradition of the Academy back , and we as a club are headed not just to the OS but for the stars. These youngsters have shown no fear so far and I am sure they are ready for a taste of what’s to come. Don’t farm them out for no good reason, without at least having a look. If they were to play and excel against Swansea and Stoke imagine how good the summers going to feel ( as we see Woys misfits fail again) knowing that not only have we got the OS but also stars of the future to fill it.
So if all three, if not four get a good runout in front of the faithful versus Swansea, is there a more fitting or West Ham way for Upton Park to be graced. If the Boleyn is indeed the Old Lady , then let her kids of the future go out and play . It’s what she did best for all of her years.