Youth Players - loan 'em or play 'em ?

[HamburgHammer]

Apparently our academy of youth players is still going strong and a few of them could be pushing for places in our squad next season, the likes of Robert Hall, Christian Montano, Daniel Potts, George Moncur, Elliot Lee, Dominic Vose, Pelly Ruddock, Ravel Morrison or Dylan Tombides (when he's fit and healthy again).

Big Sam is said to take a huge interest in our academy, but how far will his interest go when it comes to including some youngsters in our squad or, dare I say it, even play them ? I know, staying up is the be all and end all for us, so Big Sam will choose very carefully if and when he gives a youngster a chance to step up in a competitive game. But what do you think ?

I think we have a great team spirit at the club now, and with players like Tomkins, Noble and Collison as role models I can see some of the above mentioned lads stepping up to the plate quickly. Potts I feel can be the everyday understudy to McCartney and Taylor.

Who would you try out next season as part of our squad, who would you loan out ?

[HeresJohnny(Moncur)]

Surely Ravel will get a chance this season at some point, the boy is a very talented footballer, even if he his slightly hot-headed.

I agree with you to an extent about Potts aswell - depends who we sign, but currently he should be included in the fray.

[Claretdave]

Nobody can answer that point honestly unless they watch the youth team play every week. I think we would all like to see as many good academy graduates as possible in the first team.

[BigFatSam]

I would mix it around, maybe each week include one youth player and when/if they come on see if they have got what it takes to play at top flight of weather they need more time in the development team or out on loan.

[west ham15]

I would keep the likes of Montano, Hall, Moncur and give them a try in the Carling cup, That is the best time to give youngsters time on the pitch and see what they can do

[Soton_Hammer]

Loan them! Would rather have them play a full season in league one or two than play a couple of cup matches and the odd sub appearance for us!

[RyanWHUFC]

Think Ravel will get his chance, I'd like to see Potts, Hall and Montano all given a chance throughout the season as well.

[fjthegrey]

Loan them to championship or higher league 1 clubs where we know they will be used or at least given a chance.

I was with Rob Hall for a little bit yesterday, he seems to have developed a real attitude since the last time I met him, a year getting knocked around learning some humility might be useful.

[LeonRivers]

Loan them! Would rather have them play a full season in league one or two than play a couple of cup matches and the odd sub appearance for us!

This.

Not one of them has impressed at Championship level yet. It would appear they are some way from the required standard at the moment.

[whitechapel hammer]

Although it can serve a purpose I personally am not sure if season long loans are the way to go with younger players. If they end up at the wrong club (a la Sears and palace) then the player can end up wasting a year of their career.

I'm more of a fan of an inital 1-3 month loan spell at a good club where we know he will get games if he is good enough. The club should make every effort to ensure the manager rates the player and rather than sending people like Nouble on loan 5 times to different clubs in the same season it should be to one club. They should play 10-15 games and then hopefully be ready to join in first team games/squads back at West Ham.

Turning players into serial loanees does not aid their development as they never feel settled anywhere and seem to go off the boil a bit.

I don't see why Potts shouldn't be our reserve left back next year, playing in the reserves will be good edcuation for him.

[BPRIGGSC]

Having 7 subs this season will make a big big difference. Stick one of the young lads on the bench and bring them on when the game is done. Would have been great to have 7 subs this season, could have given 10 minutes to a young lad for bristol city, brighton, ipswich.

[stu1]

As mentioned the 7 sub rule will allow the youth more chance of making the match day squad, players such Morrison and Hall I would expect to get a few chances when we're chasing the game. Although the fact Alardyce didn't really give any of the youth a chance this season, makes me think he might not be that keen on youth development. I also hope he treats Spence a bit better this year, instead of just letting him rot somewhere again.

[Hambrosia Stu]

If they are good enough, play them.
But they have to show they are good enough. I'm completely against chucking a youngster into the first team just to get them a bit of experience (except maybe the last 10 minutes of a game that is already won). They need to be ready, and good enough to earn their place in the side on merit

So for the majority, I'd send them out on loan. They need to prove they are capable, and a championship/upper League 1 club is a far better place for them to do that than our reserves. Both for the development of the youngster, and from the club's point of view

I'd have no problem with the youths (those not out on loan) training with the first team squad once in a while, as I'm sure that would be a good learning opportunity

But I'd certainly be in no rush to play any of our youths in the PL, unless that is they are showing Sam that they are well worthy of a place in the side

[Yea Why Not]

If they're good enough, play them. If they aren't, loan them out in the hope they'll develop into a player that is one day good enough

[Chelmo Hammer]

In an ideal world they would play - but the reality is that most of them are probably going to need to be loaned for experience, finding more experienced players in front of them at West Ham. There is bound to be one or two chances crop up over the course of the season for youngsters to stake a claim for a moe regular first team spot - like Potts last season.

The likes of Potts, Hall and Montano will probably get alot of game time in pre season while the squad takes shape. I wonder what next for Jordan Spence?

[bobd_uk]

Most of them need loaning. Montano didn't get a regular game in L1. Neither did Hall. Vose struggled to make the first team for Braintree. I'd say Morrison is the only one there who is currently anywhere near Prem standard. Get them out on loan and if they do well, bring them back in.

[kenthammer1984]

isn't Ravel going to be on £65k a week in the prem now? would be an expensive waste if he didn't get a chance.

[Yea Why Not]

isn't Ravel going to be on £65k a week in the prem now? would be an expensive waste if he didn't get a chance.

I very much doubt it

[Chelmo Hammer]

isn't Ravel going to be on £65k a week in the prem now? would be an expensive waste if he didn't get a chance.

I really doubt that rumour is true tbf. Can you imagine the unrest it would casue if the likes of Cole, Nobes and Vaz thought this kid who played a grand total of about 10 minutes last season got such a pay hike?

[Lincolnhammer92]

isn't Ravel going to be on £65k a week in the prem now? would be an expensive waste if he didn't get a chance.

Not a chance.