MATCHWATCH : West Ham United U21 (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Tuesday 20 August 2024, 7pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Another midweek cup game we all can do without, much rather Ruben could spend the week on letting players rest and figuring out how to stop the Hollywood steamroller rather than being distracted for a pretty pointless excursion into what is the Associate Members Cup masquerading as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy

This competition is utterly pointless, unless you find yourselves down to the last 4 clubs in your region when the tantalisation that is "a day at Wembley" becomes a reasonably realistic dream. But to get to there you have to get through these "rounds" of unnecessary clog.

This challenge pairs whatever "reserve" side Ruben can cobble together against, probably, what will eventually become the Hammer's star(s) of tomorrow. Their academy names are probably more well known to Noel Hunt and Michael Gilkes, not to mention the many Reading youngsters who now make up the Reading team.

West Ham's "stars of tomorrow" cover such names as Freddie Potts, Kamarai Simon-Swyer, Luizao, George Earthy, Gideon Kodua amongst others so take a bet and see who will make it big in the next couple of years.

Would expect Ruben to field a largely u21 side to match but then the FL do force league clubs into playing a certain amount of senior players which is really unhelpful when you have naff all in your squad.

Don't believe anything has changed in this competition from last season, in which case the following still applies -

Player eligibility

Each FL league club MUST play a minimum of four qualifying outfield players in their starting XI. A qualifying outfield player was one who met any of the following requirements:
Any player who started the previous or following first-team fixture.
Any player who is in the top 10 players at the club who has made the most starting appearances in league and domestic cup competitions this season.
Any player with forty or more first-team starting appearances in their career, including International matches.
Any player on loan from a Premier League club or any EFL Category One Academy club.
A club can play any eligible goalkeeper in the competition.
Any player out on a long loan term at a National League, National League North, or National League South team can play as long as the loaning team agree to allow the player to return for the match.

For invited teams (the U21 sides)

Minimum of six players in the starting line-up who are aged under 21 on 30 June 2024.
Maximum of two players on the team sheet who are aged over 21 and have also made forty or more senior appearances.

Referee

Stephen Parkinson

Previously

New referee to Reading

Historically

Never played the West Ham kids before in this cup but they are one of the sharper academy units in this competition. Most academy side seem to just make up the numbers but in last season's excursion they hammered Bristol Rovers, Newport County and Colchester United before very narrowly getting beaten just up the road at eventual finalists Wycombe. Also don't think Reading and West Ham met in the PL2 last season either, though they would have met in the play offs was it not for Sunderland getting in the way of things. For the record West Ham finished 2nd in the PL2 league table last year so are obviously a pretty good team.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. That SKY thing again
5. Use a RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[LUX]

Agree with the sentiments about this being an unwanted distraction and fitness risk.

OTOH I have noticed that there are no midweek League games until October, which is unusual. That eases any risk of fatigue for our lean squad.

[Clyde1998]

Agree with the sentiments about this being an unwanted distraction and fitness risk.

OTOH I have noticed that there are no midweek League games until October, which is unusual. That eases any risk of fatigue for our lean squad.

I think these sort of games will simply be an opportunity for younger or fringe players to get game time in a relatively inconsequential environment.

A lot of the players who played against Colchester will likely start this one, plus possibly a couple more younger players and anyone who needs match fitness. I can see the team being something like:

CBC
Osho - Dean - Kanu - Abrefa
Sackey - Senga - Rushesha
Garcia - Wareham - Akande

The bench would probably also include a lot of academy players too: thinking Stickland, Holzman, Tuma, Okine-Peters, Borgnis, etc. Obviously depends on who's available, but there's absolutely no point in risking any first team player in this game.

[LUX]

Yes but Sutekh says we are obliged to put a minimum number of first teamers in.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Agree with the sentiments about this being an unwanted distraction and fitness risk.

OTOH I have noticed that there are no midweek League games until October, which is unusual. That eases any risk of fatigue for our lean squad.

I think these sort of games will simply be an opportunity for younger or fringe players to get game time in a relatively inconsequential environment.

A lot of the players who played against Colchester will likely start this one, plus possibly a couple more younger players and anyone who needs match fitness. I can see the team being something like:

CBC
Osho - Dean - Kanu - Abrefa
Sackey - Senga - Rushesha
Garcia - Wareham - Akande

The bench would probably also include a lot of academy players too: thinking Stickland, Holzman, Tuma, Okine-Peters, Borgnis, etc. Obviously depends on who's available, but there's absolutely no point in risking any first team player in this game.

We have to play 4 qualifying outfield players....I think Dean is the only player in that side.

I'd probably give Azeez a run from the start but need 2 others....

[Royals and Racers]

What also should be remembered is that the U 21’s make the long trip to play Middlesborough tomorrow in their first PL 2 match of the season- i expect quite a strong side against West Ham.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Agree with the sentiments about this being an unwanted distraction and fitness risk.

OTOH I have noticed that there are no midweek League games until October, which is unusual. That eases any risk of fatigue for our lean squad.

Didn't appreciate that. Could really benefit our small squad, and then hopefully by the end of October any post takeover arrivals are properly bedded in.

Play the youths, Dean and enough other senior players to get us to the minimum requirement. Does Abrefa count as a senior player for the rules? He could use the minutes. Probably Azeez too.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

What also should be remembered is that the U 21’s make the long trip to play Middlesborough tomorrow in their first PL 2 match of the season- i expect quite a strong side against West Ham.

Pretty mad decision to play the game this week then.

We must have had some kind of choice given there are very few other EFL Trophy games this week and our next league opponents aren't playing either....

[Snowflake Royal]

I think our qualifying players will likely be:
Dean as he's not first XI, but still counts
Camara, as he's unlikely to start the next league game with Azeez back. I guess it could be Azeez to ease him back in slower though.
Wing, less sure, but he's quarterback so running less, than he maybe did in the past which may help.
Not sure on the fourth.

Don't see it being Smith, Ehibhatiomhan or Craig. The latter to to not risk our already makeshift RB. Mbengue spends the last 10 minutes of games limping and cramping so would seem mad to be him. Doubt Button as we're going to want to keep giving CBC games (the rules Sutekh put down were confusing on GKs, I'm assuming not just any GK counts for one of the four - otherwise CBC would round it off? Dorsett looked like he had a knock coming off against Wigan, so unlikely to be him.

Could be Elliott or Savage. Maybe Bindon.

...................CBC
Abrefa, Dean, ?, Osho
..................Wing
Camara, Sackey, ?, Garcia
...............Wareham

So I'm guessing one of Rushesha or Kanu will play, with the other slot filled by Savage, Elliott or Bindon, depending on which one.

I'd probably go with Savage.

[Clyde1998]

Agree with the sentiments about this being an unwanted distraction and fitness risk.

OTOH I have noticed that there are no midweek League games until October, which is unusual. That eases any risk of fatigue for our lean squad.

I think these sort of games will simply be an opportunity for younger or fringe players to get game time in a relatively inconsequential environment.

A lot of the players who played against Colchester will likely start this one, plus possibly a couple more younger players and anyone who needs match fitness. I can see the team being something like:

CBC
Osho - Dean - Kanu - Abrefa
Sackey - Senga - Rushesha
Garcia - Wareham - Akande

The bench would probably also include a lot of academy players too: thinking Stickland, Holzman, Tuma, Okine-Peters, Borgnis, etc. Obviously depends on who's available, but there's absolutely no point in risking any first team player in this game.

We have to play 4 qualifying outfield players....I think Dean is the only player in that side.

I'd probably give Azeez a run from the start but need 2 others....

I completely forgot about that (showing I read the OP ).

So we need four outfield who meet any of the following criteria:

1. Any player who started the previous or following first-team fixture.
2. Any player who is in the top 10 players at the club who has made the most starting appearances in league and domestic cup competitions this season.
3. Any player with forty or more first-team starting appearances in their career, including International matches.
4. Any player on loan from a Premier League club or any EFL Category One Academy club.

Doesn't seem to be any restrictions on who we can have on the bench.

Number four is irrelevant for us, as we don't have any. Although seems a little odd to require them to be on loan, given we're an EFL club with a Category One academy.

Qualifying under number three would be: Yiadom (464 starts); Dean (451); Wing (220); Smith (193); Knibbs (140); Dorsett (84); Mbengue (58); Azeez (56); Savage (50); Bindon (49). We only have outfield ten players in the entire squad who have started more than forty matches in first team football and two are injured.

Not sure how number two can be a useful rule this early in the season, although that would basically be players who've started in the league (so the players who qualify under number one). Those qualifying under number one and two (who didn't qualify under number three): Craig (26 starts); Elliott (23); Camara (9); Ehib (35).

With that in mind then: perhaps play Craig in central midfield; start Azeez or Camara and Savage or Elliott. I think Ruben will be wanting to give game time to the young players who started at Colchester and have been in the league squads (Osho; Kanu; Garcia). Dorsett could be moved to centre-back to try him out there, so he could play instead of Dean.

Ending up with something like (qualifying players in bold):
CBC
Osho - Kanu - Dean/Dorsett - Abrefa
Elliott/Savage - Craig - Rushesha
Garcia - Wareham - Azeez/Camara

[Snowflake Royal]

I think these sort of games will simply be an opportunity for younger or fringe players to get game time in a relatively inconsequential environment.

A lot of the players who played against Colchester will likely start this one, plus possibly a couple more younger players and anyone who needs match fitness. I can see the team being something like:

CBC
Osho - Dean - Kanu - Abrefa
Sackey - Senga - Rushesha
Garcia - Wareham - Akande

The bench would probably also include a lot of academy players too: thinking Stickland, Holzman, Tuma, Okine-Peters, Borgnis, etc. Obviously depends on who's available, but there's absolutely no point in risking any first team player in this game.

We have to play 4 qualifying outfield players....I think Dean is the only player in that side.

I'd probably give Azeez a run from the start but need 2 others....

I completely forgot about that (showing I read the OP ).

So we need four outfield who meet any of the following criteria:

1. Any player who started the previous or following first-team fixture.
2. Any player who is in the top 10 players at the club who has made the most starting appearances in league and domestic cup competitions this season.
3. Any player with forty or more first-team starting appearances in their career, including International matches.
4. Any player on loan from a Premier League club or any EFL Category One Academy club.

Doesn't seem to be any restrictions on who we can have on the bench.

Number four is irrelevant for us, as we don't have any. Although seems a little odd to require them to be on loan, given we're an EFL club with a Category One academy.

Qualifying under number three would be: Yiadom (464 starts); Dean (451); Wing (220); Smith (193); Knibbs (140); Dorsett (84); Mbengue (58); Azeez (56); Savage (50); Bindon (49). We only have outfield ten players in the entire squad who have started more than forty matches in first team football and two are injured.

Not sure how number two can be a useful rule this early in the season, although that would basically be players who've started in the league (so the players who qualify under number one). Those qualifying under number one and two (who didn't qualify under number three): Craig (26 starts); Elliott (23); Camara (9); Ehib (35).

With that in mind then: perhaps play Craig in central midfield; start Azeez or Camara and Savage or Elliott. I think Ruben will be wanting to give game time to the young players who started at Colchester and have been in the league squads (Osho; Kanu; Garcia). Dorsett could be moved to centre-back to try him out there, so he could play instead of Dean.

Ending up with something like (qualifying players in bold):
CBC
Osho - Kanu - Dean/Dorsett - Abrefa
Elliott/Savage - Craig - Rushesha
Garcia - Wareham - Azeez/Camara

Similar to my thoughts, although I think you have your flanks mixed up.

[rabidbee]

If I've understood the rules, can't anybody in the squad qualify, so long as Selles picks them to start the next lague match?

[Snowflake Royal]

If I've understood the rules, can't anybody in the squad qualify, so long as Selles picks them to start the next lague match?

That bizarre element seems to be there, although it's pretty irrelevant as the only one Selles is likely to bring into the league starting line up is Azeez, and he already qualifies.

Maybe Abrefa, but probably not.

How would it work if he intended to start Abrefa in the next League game, so he would be number 4, only for him to get injured or have a stinker? Suddenly you'd be in breach of the competition rules or forced into an unwanted league change.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Are there rules forcing PL teams to pick strong teams in the EFL and FA Cups? Or only when lower league teams face their kids?

[rabidbee]

If I've understood the rules, can't anybody in the squad qualify, so long as Selles picks them to start the next lague match?

That bizarre element seems to be there, although it's pretty irrelevant as the only one Selles is likely to bring into the league starting line up is Azeez, and he already qualifies.

Maybe Abrefa, but probably not.

How would it work if he intended to start Abrefa in the next League game, so he would be number 4, only for him to get injured or have a stinker? Suddenly you'd be in breach of the competition rules or forced into an unwanted league change.

I can see the value of the rule - you can pick a player who was suspended or rested for the last game, or coming back from injury, without having to pick a fifth first-teamer. Perhaps there are mitigations if a player you intend to start in the following game is injured.

[RG30]

This match is on Sky Sports+ tomorrow night for anyone who cba to attend.

[Mr Angry]

This match is on Sky Sports+ tomorrow night for anyone who cba to attend.

Thats mad isn't it?

Showing a group game in the seasons 4th most important competition, between a Premier League U21 side and a League 1 reserve side; I would love to know what the viewing figures end up being!

[Royals and Racers]

Boyce-Clarke
Abrefa
Elliott
Dean
Savage
Ehibhatiomhan
Wareham
Garcia
Kanu
Akande
Spencer
SUBS
Pereira
Craig
Rushesha
Anmed
Sackey
Osho
Harrison

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Think I would have started different first teamers to Kelvin and Elliott, given they've been stand out players so far...but I guess West Ham are unlikely to be that physical.

Who is Harrison??

[Snowflake Royal]

Interesting line up.

Was not expecting to see Ehibhatiomhan play given he always looks shattered after 65 minutes.

But good to have a solid set of first team quality/experience through the team, rather than a very raw frontline...

CBC
Abrefa, Dean, Kanu, Garcia
Elliott, Spencer, Savage
Akande, Wareham, Ehibhatiomhan

?

I don't know anything about Spencer, I assume he's a midfielder, but I guess from that line up he could be there for fullback or forward.