Allardyce and youth

[bonzosbest74]

Interesting article just popped up online regarding Sam's reluctance to promote or recruit youth players. I know Whisky frequently posts that there is nobody within the club good enough but it raises some valid points.


Not a single West Ham player in the national U21 squad and it seems in the U20's for the tournament in Toulon.

Academy players are never invited to train with the 1st team at West Ham

Sam not attending our own U21 games

None of the 14 players used in the final game when we were already safe were under 25.




Some may point to the Forest game but he didn't even play our best U21 players (Chambers, Turggot & Lee) and he lined them up out of position in a strange 352 system than none of our age groups even play with the midfielder Alou Diarra organising the defence. - view external link

[Tone_Loc]

Despite us not hearin much, you can bet your mortgage that there's a LOT of disquiet within the club outside of those involved in the senior squad...and probably some within too.
There MUST be...how can there not be?

To those on the 'outside' that senior squad must resemble an island in the sky. Something they can see but can never get to.

[WHU]

I'm sure Sully having a confidential chat with Tony Carr would be interesting. How the fu(k could TC have many positive things to say about the last couple of years behind the scenes?

[OZHAMMER]

tony carr must be asking himself why he bothers... :/

[Whiskyman]

Interesting article just popped up online regarding Sam's reluctance to promote or recruit youth players. I know Whisky frequently posts that there is nobody within the club good enough but it raises some valid points.


Not a single West Ham player in the national U21 squad and it seems in the U20's for the tournament in Toulon.

Academy players are never invited to train with the 1st team at West Ham

Sam not attending our own U21 games

None of the 14 players used in the final game when we were already safe were under 25.

I'm not so much saying they aren't good enough. I don't really see enough of the U21's to be able to make that sort of judgment tbh, and in fact when I have been along there have been one or two who have taken they eye. Montano and Hall were the last two, who've since gone elsewhere, who I thought had a chance. What I have said is that none of the so called "bright young things" we've allowed to leave in

[Giraffe]

I've heard the west ham youngsters are not a lover of big Sam. The guy I spoke to said he has to leave in order to get football elsewhere. Shame. We used to be a club that give youth a chance. Even if they eventually left for better (or worse) things.

[Tone_Loc]

Maybe we're simply not getting the best young talent onto our books these days.

No surprise there... which self-respecting young starlet would want to come to a club with such a poor recent reputation for working with it's youngsters

[Westham67]

There is a lot more behind this than has been reported in the press.

[dorsetdano]

There is a lot more behind this than has been reported in the press.

If there spill the beans then! Or at least give some hints