A large part of Carlton Cole’s job, in his role as West Ham United’s Loans and Pathways Manager, is to recommend the right moves and the next steps for the Premier League club’s brightest young talents.
The former Upton Park targetman certainly earned his wages last season, then.
Freddie Potts got a standing ovation on his farewell appearance at Portsmouth. George Earthy was Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year.
And Callum Marshall became a real fans’ favourite at Huddersfield Town, the intensity and movement which earned him the admiration of Nuno Espirito Santo seeing the Northern Ireland international pick up an individual accolade of his own in Yorkshire.
Flash forward to November 2025, and Cole will be pleased to see that this season’s loan legion are starting to make their mark away from West Ham United too.
Well, most of them anyway.
When it comes to Lewis Orford, who former Hammers midfielder Martin Allen saw make a brief cameo appearance in Stevenage’s 1-0 defeat by Reading on Thursday night, opportunities have been much scarcer than his parent club would have liked.
West Ham United starlet Lewis Orford during England v Switzerland - Men's U20 International Friendly
Photo by Nathan Stirk – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Martin Allen pleased to see West Ham United keep close tabs on Stevenage’s Lewis Orford
Orford marked his long-awaited Stevenage debut in style in late-October.
West Ham sporting director Mark Noble highlighted Orford’s ‘fantastic’ passing ability, and the England Under-20 international put his vision and guile to excellent use with two assists in a 5-2 EFL Trophy drubbing of Crystal Palace.
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Orford also found the net himself that day. That, though, didn’t tell West Ham anything they didn’t already know. Orford, standing out against an Under-21 side. They had seen enough of that in Premier League 2 last season.
That Stevenage switch was organised, by Cole and co, in an attempt to get Orford playing against senior opposition for the first time.
So far, though, he has been limited to a combined 38 minutes of action against Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round and against the aforementioned Reading in England’s third tier.
‘Mad Dog’ Martin Allen, Reading born and bred, was at least pleased to see a West Ham representative make the trip to Berkshire though. Orford’s first minutes in League One gave that unnamed Hammers staff member something to write home about.
“It was nice to see a senior member of West Ham staff at the Reading game last night to watch Orford, who is on loan at Stevenage,” Allen wrote on X.
“Very good to see that.”
Alex Revell praised Orford but League One chances have been rare
Alex Revell, Stevenage’s head coach, praised Orford’s contributions in the EFL Trophy three weeks ago.
“I thought, as a team, we played some really, really good stuff,” Revell said. “It was obviously good to see Lewis Orford in a Stevenage shirt for the first time, showing his capabilities, driving with the ball and getting a goal.
“That is his threat.”
On the league stage, though, Revell has been reluctant to change what has proven to be a winning formula throughout much of the opening months.
Stevenage sit only two points off leaders Stockport County. Then again, with that Reading reverse making it one point out of a possible nine, Revell may feel that the time to chop and change is approaching.
On the other hand, if Orford’s struggles continue, the upcoming January transfer window will allow the Hammers the chance to re-assess the situation and potentially line up a more suitable move.
Gideon Kodua and Kaelan Casey shine for Luton Town and Swansea City
On a more positive note, Gideon Kodua is bouncing back at Luton Town from a tough start in Bedfordshire. Kodua was their FA Cup saviour last week, saving Jack Wilshere’s blushes with a stoppage time winner over non-league Forest Green Rovers.
Kaelan Casey is seizing a belated chance to impress at Swansea City, meanwhile, in the division above.
During a standout performance against Manchester City in the EFL Cup, Casey earned comparisons to ex-Swansea loanee Marc Guehi.
If the 21-year-old comes anywhere close to reaching the same level as the Crystal Palace captain, West Ham will have quite the talent on their hands.
“It was great to be involved,” said Casey, who has now started three successive senior matches for the first time.
“I am learning so much every day working with the likes of [fellow defenders] Cam Burgess and Ben Cabango, and I hope I can get more chances in the future.”