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Who are the West Ham academy players who played vs. Macclesfield?

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Grady Diangana of West Ham United scores his team's eighth goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Macclesfield Town at The London Stadium on September 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Grady Diangana of West Ham United scores his team's eighth goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between West Ham United and Macclesfield Town at The London Stadium on September 26, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) /
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3 Of West Ham’s academy players too to the field at the London Stadium against Macclesfield. With the Hammers running out 8-0 winners, interest around them is peaking.

Whilst other fans have been moaning that it was only Macclesfield and there’s not much to it, West Ham fans should be very happy. We haven’t won this big in 34 years, and we tend to struggle when we have lower league opposition. See the previous round for an example. And what was even better was the good show of youth talent from the Hammers.

Conor Coventry, Joe Powell and Grady Diangana all played their first game for the Hammers last night, and should be proud. Diangana started, Coventry came on at half time and Powell replaced Antonio later on. With the interest around them heightened, we have some mini profiles for you.

STEVENAGE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: George Marsh of Tottenham Hotspur and Conor Coventry of West Ham during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at The Lamex Stadium on August 13, 2018 in Stevenage, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
STEVENAGE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: George Marsh of Tottenham Hotspur and Conor Coventry of West Ham during the Premier League 2 match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at The Lamex Stadium on August 13, 2018 in Stevenage, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

Conor Coventry

Coventry won last year’s Dylan Tombides trophy, given to an outstanding academy player, and has been a consistent member of Ireland’s youth setup over the past few years. A hardworking and tenacious central midfielder, he had, until this week, played in all of the U23s matches this season.

His ability and attitude are regularly commended by his coaches and there are a lot of people who are likening his progress to now first team Declan Rice. Given Rice’s switch to central midfielder they are now even playing alongside each other. With him making his first team bow Coventry will want to continue progressing and pushing for further inclusion in the first team.

As a midfielder it may take him some time to develop the muscle and sharpness necessary to play in the role, but last night’s performance was a great start. If he can follow Rice’s example, keep his head down and work hard then I really doubt this will be the last time we see the young Irishman in Claret and Blue this season.