After a successful 2-0 victory over a strong Manchester United side, West Ham U23’s will be looking to gain more momentum and another three points at the Merseyrail Community Stadium on Monday evening, as they face an Everton side struggling for form in the PL2.
The Young Hammers managed to find their first win in the league last week, defeating United convincingly.
With this win, they are still in 13th place after their disappointing start to the season. But with Dmitri Halajko’s free flowing football, it’s only a matter of time before West Ham start racking up the wins to really settle in the league and escape relegation, the best is yet to come.
Goal Drought
Prior to the game against Man United, the young Irons had only managed to score 11 goals in eight appearances, the second lowest tally in the league.
This means that the team have to be more clinical in front of goal if they really want compete in this league. With Manchester City sitting at the top with 27 goals scored in nine appearances, having an amazing season under Enzo Maresca, 11 goals aren’t enough to get the Irons out of the relegation spot.
Holland’s Comeback
With the return of Nathan Holland, maybe this issue can be resolved, as he made his comeback from injury last Tuesday night in the 3-0 loss against Peterborough United in the Papa John’s Trophy. Prior to then, he made his last appearance in the claret and blue on the 6th January against the Red Devils, in which he scored in the 2-0 bout.
He’ll be out to make an impression in his return to the league after scoring 13 goals in 12 games last season. This is exactly what the Hammers will need to beat the Toffees on Monday evening.
Afolayan On Fire
Top goal scorer Oladapo Afolayan will be looking to continue his impressive form after scoring the second goal against United. This makes it two goals in his last three appearances for the Hammers, which he would be looking to add to in the coming games.
Afolayan, with five goals so far currently sits in joint sixth for most goals scored in the league. Being three goals behind leader Derby County’s Jack Stretton, Afolayan will be aiming to keep scoring more consistently to help solidify the Hammers place in the league.
22-year-old Nathan Trott will be keen to start again after his brilliant defensive performance between the sticks against Man United’s attacking threat.
Managing to keep a clean sheet in the game performing world class saves against a very aggressive Red Devils side in which they saw Hannibal Mejbri get sent off for an off the ball challenge.
Swyer’s New Contract
Kemarai Swyer will also be hoping for minutes, after penning a new deal last Friday on his 18th birthday. With stunning performances so far in the league playing across the front three, he’s earned himself his first pro contract. With the big expectations under 18’s manager Kevin Keen has for him saying
“He can score goals, he can create goals, and he’s got a frame which he’s working on to make more athletic, but which could be very useful in Premier League football, certainly in the 2020s”. Could he be another option in front of goal for the young Hammers?
The Toffees haven’t been great so far in the league, only managing to place 10th in the league so far, with three wins in the league including a massive 2-0 victory over champions Chelsea last month. But hopefully the Hammers can use the momentum from their previous win to help defeat the Toffees away.
Link to original article – https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/december/06-december/kamarai-swyer-pens-first-professional-contract-west-ham
