West Ham U23s side have enjoyed a wonderful 2019/20 season under the management of Dmitri Halajko, as they top the Premier League 2 Division 2 table heading into the latter stages of the season.
The Hammers are the only side in the PL2 Division 2 to have not lost a single game this season – a record Halajko’s young side will be keen to keep up.
Dominant In Attack
The young West Ham side have been solid defensively this season, as their unbeaten record would suggest, but it is the attacking prowess of the team that has been most impressive. They have displayed their ability to play quick attacking football, breaking down teams with their interplay and clinical finishing.
Halajko’s side have had the power and ability to take games by the scruff of the neck, and have put in some dominating performances, scoring three or more goals in 13 separate games over the course of this season.
The East London side have also managed to score more goals than any other team in both of the Premier League 2 divisions, demonstrating the impact that Halajko has had on the club since arriving.
Trust In The System
The Irons coach has praised his side throughout this season. In a recent press conference he waxed lyrical about the strength in depth that he believes the club’s academy system has.
“We’ve got faith in our system, and whether that’s the strength in depth in the U23s, or promoting players from the U18s or even the U16s if we need to, we’ve got plenty of players at a good level that we can trust to make an impact.”
Solid Cup Performances
However, it is not only in the league that the Hammers have found good form, as they have impressed with their performances in domestic and European competitions.
Halajko’s squad have managed to win two of their three games in the Premier League International Cup – a competition they have now progressed to the knockout stages in. This ability to compete in a number of tournaments at once shows a resilience from the West Ham side that they have not shown in a number of seasons.
This form bodes well for the future, as the young players will all be looking to make their mark as they start their careers in the professional game.
Although now eliminated from the competition, the Irons also showed great quality in their Leasing.com Trophy performances, playing an U21 side against senior teams such as Cheltenham, Exeter City and Newport County. The Hammers managed put in a notable performance against the latter in early September, beating them 5-4 away from home.
Staying On Track
When playing so fluently and positively, it can be easy to get carried away, but Halajko and his squad remain hyper-focussed on the success of the team. He spoke after his side’s 3-3 draw with Reading, emphasising the importance of not becoming complacent.
Speaking to the club website he said, “we need to maximise every minute, because every minute is an opportunity, every game is an opportunity. That’s both for them in terms of their league position, but also their development and where they’re going and improving.”
Praise From The Players
21-year-old defender Olatunji Akinola praised Halajko and his coaching style in a recent interview, explaining how the atmosphere in the changing room has changed since the new coach’s arrival.
“Since Dmitri came in, the style of play has completely changed and it’s so good to watch” he said, “They’ve been very good to me individually and as I’ve come back into the team now, I really like the sessions. They’re so well thought-out and detailed so they’re geared towards our next game, so I’m really enjoying working with them.”
With the belief of the players and the form that this young Hammers side are in, there is no limit to what they could achieve at this level of the game, and the senior staff will surely be watching closely as this group of talented young players continue to impress.
