With the 2019 season coming to a close and the Hammers are safe for another year it’s easy to just look off into the sunset and next season.
It would be easy to start thinking of whom to let go and who to keep; who to bring in and for what cost. But, I think an even more important question is do we close out in style or try out the youth to see what we might have for next season.
Honestly, who’s to say that we don’t try out the youth and still win? To be a competent Premier League side you must continually strive for growth and what better time than now for West Ham to answer the age-old question of youth over experience.
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Go for the glory
Right now as we speak the glory would be defined at 9th place, obviously that’s contingent on Leicester losing both matches. But that would mean three things. One, Pellegrini’s three-year plan is working and moving in the right direction. Two, more money would come from a 9th place season compared to 11th or 12th. And three, it keeps the momentum going from the past few weeks and gives confidence to the players and fans alike.
For me, you could finally get a glimpse of Pellegrini’s squad and his guys the last two weeks and it’s been fun to watch. Players are coming back healthy (somewhat) and they look like they are having fun which has only boosted their confidence.
Youth time
After all, we are the Academy of Football. To have that name actually mean something means we must continue to grow the academy and bring players up to test their skills. Without testing the academy names like Rice, Diangana, Johnson, or even Noble might’ve never come to fruition.
I know that bringing in a new squad could mess up the flow of the game but we need to see now what we have for next year so we can judge on what positions we need to fill. Names like Coventry, Holland, Silva, and eventually Trott need to be looked at as highly as the next academy players to break into the scene but they also need some experiences to challenge their skills.
If it was up to me I would look to go with more youth and give some of the now healthy players a run. Watford will be a tough match and one that took us by surprise last time out in a 2 -0 defeat that stopped our run of wins.
Finishing 9th would be a good way to end out but 10 years from now will you really remember the year we finished 9th or might you remember when the next academy star got his start. As always, please comment and let us know what your thoughts are as we end this season and COME ON YOU IRONS!