THERE’s a lot of chatter right now surrounding the academy talent at West Ham. Shortages and deficiencies in the senior squad means everyone associated with the u21’s – coaches, fans, pundits – seems to make a case for the elevation of Preston Fearon, Mohamadou Kante or even as aI saw just today reports linking Emeka Adiele as being the latest ‘next best thing’ needing to be elevated to the seniors.
What these articles lack in substance they make up for in hope. Which is a commodity not in great supply at West Ham now.
However there are players currently ready to roll in the first team who desperately need to get match time: None more so than Freddie Potts. Not a teenager. Twenty two years old. And suggested, by footballfancast.co.uk, to be more than ready to step up and become ‘West Ham’s future Mark Noble 2.0” (Their words, not mine).
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Freddie Potts does not need ‘protecting’ by a manager
But he’s got to get game time first. Enough of this ‘protecting’ Potts like he’s made of glass. The midfielder is a seasoned campaigner of one Championship relegation fight already having helped Portsmouth stave off the drop last year: So no doubting his resilience.
As the report states:
“There is still a long way to go in the 22-year-old’s career, but even so, there are already some key similarities between him and the West Ham legend. [Nobes]...He is very much one of the Hammers’ own, as he spent his entire youth career with the East Londoners and has only played for other teams while out on loan. Moreover, he is a fan of the club, and so when the supporters sang “Freddie Potts, he’s one of our own” away to Everton earlier this season, it was one of those rare occasions when that phrase is entirely true.”
And in summing up, makes a compelling case for Potts’ inclusion: “While he isn’t likely to go on any mazy runs or score wonder goals like some other midfielders, he looks to be a reliable, no-nonsense throwback of a footballer.” Which is kind of just what the doctor ordered at London Stadium right now. Forget the fan protests about the board, I’ll be there protesting if Potts doesn’t get a start on Sunday.