David Moyes has suggested West Ham striker Divin Mubama had actually disappointed him since pre-season after his dream debut.
If there’s one thing you can say about Hammers boss Moyes, it is that he is as honest as the day is long.
And if West Ham’s young academy starlets did not know that already, they will now.
West Ham beat Romanian side FCSB 3-0 on Thursday night to become the first team to win every group game in the fledgling history of the Europa Conference League.
And it was a night the likes of academy starlets Mubama will never forget.
The 18-year-old striker – a boyhood Hammer born and raised in Newham – started his first competitive game for West Ham and he did not disappoint.
The England Under 18s star put himself about, always showed for the ball and provided a real threat with excellent movement that belied his tender years.
After the game Mubama revealed his FIFA prophecy about scoring on his West Ham bow.
And it has emerged Mubama has been having secret chats with former West Ham hero turned villain Jermain Defoe to help hone his skills.
But as the Hammers academy starlet basks in the euphoria, there was just a little bit of stick mixed in with the carrot from the manager.
Moyes suggests West Ham striker Mubama had actually disappointed him since pre-season after his dream debut.
The Scot says he wants the academy stars to give him selection headaches by pushing for the first team.
Mubama featured heavily in pre-season for the Hammers but has not been seen in the first team until last night, despite the fact West Ham are the joint-third lowest scoring side in the Premier League.
“I thought Divin worked really hard, you can see what it meant getting the goal – albeit I’ve just been told it’s not his,” Moyes told West Ham TV.
“But how much it meant and how much he wanted to celebrate with the supporters because as a centre forward part of your job is to score goals. I thought he missed a big chance in the first half and then to get the one in the second half is good.
“I want them (academy players) to keep stepping up and if they think this is as far as they’ve gone, this is only the start really, but they have to start somewhere…
“Divin was with us in pre-season and he’s just slipped off a little bit (the standards) Divin. And when you get your chance you want to show it so I’m really pleased for them (Mubama and Ollie Scarles).”
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