To players involved in the final Premier League Summer Series this afternoon, this game is anything but ‘just’ a friendly. If history is anything to go by, careers have been made or broken in summer fixtures. Well I remember [**Divin Mubama**](https://www.claretandhugh.info/bully-boy-mubama-twists-the-knife-for-hammers/) scoring twice in the summer series under David Moyes- down in Perth, Australia – in 2023 -and then never surfacing again: So best not jump to any hasty conclusions.
However the development of **Freddie Potts** and **Callum Marshall** through this season’s friendlies is very encouraging: The noises coming from the management are positive, and from a fan’s point of view today offers the best opportunity to judge them without sitting up half the night.
Indeed, the last outing against Everton was anything other than a ‘friendly’, with the game played in a very highly competitive manner. Some of the tackles were downright hostile and more than one West Ham player was carrying a knock at the end.
Hopefully Graham Potter will give Hammers fans an opportunity to see the best of the youngsters, with Casey, Orford and Guilherme along with prodigy teen Preston Fearon possible participants this afternoon. The best antidote to ‘_dinosaur-strikeritis’_ which is currently laying low some sections of the fan base, a good showing against Bournemouth this afternoon will raise spirits – and probably ticket sales – for next weekend’s Betway cup traditional pre-season opener.
And it could have huge ramifications for the careers of these same youngsters: Whilst Potts and George Earthy appeared to shine 12 months ago in pre-season, Julen Lopetegui cast them adrift in season-long loans at exactly this stage: Surely they’ll be rewarded with senior squad places a year down the line.
George Earthy in particular must be keeping his fingers crossed, having not kicked a ball in anger thanks to a recurrence of his ankle injury. A career defining fourteen days awaits, then, for the latest crop of Hammers youngsters. A decent performance this afternoon could have season long repercussions. No pressure then.