Spurs under 18’s versus West Ham United: (match preview)

Our under 18’s are preparing to face West Ham United on Saturday morning at Little Heath, as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the under 18 southern division. After last weekends stalemate with Reading at Hotspur Way, Matt Wells side will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they face West Ham United in east London. This will be our under 18’s second London Derby of the season and whilst Spurs have started the season in stunning form, our London rivals have also started the season strongly. Mark Phillips West Ham side have won four of their opening five league games this season, and currently occupy fourth place in the league. A number of our under 18’s played for the under 19’s in the UEFA youth league during midweek, as they contested a fiery 1-1 draw with Inter Milan. Players such as Malachi Walcott, Luis Binks and J’Neil Bennett all played the full 90 minutes of that game and could end up finding themselves being rested for this Saturday’s London derby. Matt Wells will have been disappointed that he’s side were unable to finish off Reading last weekend, in a game in which they dominated in every respect. This fixture last season was a funny old game, we were on a good patch of form when we travelled to east London. However, it was a really scrappy game in which we were unable to make possession count and we were punished for that, by the much more direct Hammers youngsters. Whilst West Ham have started the season in fine form they are yet to come up against any of the big boys in the league thus far this campaign. Last season they were an extremely combative side who weren’t afraid to scrap for results and play ugly, if I may so.

It will be interesting to see how Tottenham lineup on Saturday morning (10:30 AM KO) it will also be interesting to see if Troy Parrott is drafted back into the side after his time in the under 23’s. Parrott has only made one appearance for our under 18 side this season having spent the majority of the time with Wayne Burnett’s development side. Another player who I’m hoping to see start the game is 18 year old forward Rodel Richards who made his return from injury against Inter Milan in midweek. Richards looked very sharp considering it was only his first game of the season. I think Matt Wells side will have to start well against West Ham if they are to get back to winning ways. Some of the Hammers most dangerous players include attacking midfielder Bernardo Rosa and Vernon Parkes and they could prove to be dangerous on the break. Last season I ended up going to West Ham’s Rush Green training ground only to find that they are unable to hold academy games at the facility, thankfully I made that game in time. Hopefully tomorrow’s trip on the London Underground will be a lot more straight forward. My match report will be out late on Saturday night.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Oluwayemi, Tainio, Lyons-Foster, Statham, Cirkin, White, Bowden, Clarke, A.Shashoua (c), P.Patterson, Richards.

Subs from: Kurylowicz, Okedina, Thorpe, Markanday, Mukendi.

Doubtful: N/A.

Injured/unavailable: N/A.

Previous meeting: Spurs 0-2.

My score prediction: Spurs 2-1.

My one to watch: The Hammers Brazilian attacking midfielder Bernardo Rosa (18). The creative Rosa caused quite a few problems for our defence in this fixture last season, and the teenager has started the new campaign in excellent form. Finding the back of the net on four occasions already this season, Rosa has also made a number of appearances for West Ham’s development side and will be one of the Hammers most potent attacking players.