As far as chastening experiences of hype versus reality go, West Ham United starlet Mipo Odubeko is right up there.
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As the dust settled on West Ham’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United a week ago, much of the talk was about the 18-year-old striker.
Thrust into the first team squad by West Ham’s unfathomable lack of striker options, Odubeko received a humbling on what was effectively his debut – not counting a couple of minutes at the end of the third round win over non league Stockport.
Hammers fans wanted Odubeko thrust into first team picture after club’s failure to sign a striker
West Ham fans had been calling for David Moyes to give the exciting prospect a chance.
Hype and hope in equal measure greeted his arrival as a second half substitute. Odubeko was making his first appearance on the big stage back at the club where he snubbed a contract to join West Ham in October 2019.
With the game locked at 0-0, the script seemed written for another academy star to make their graduation to the first team.
The reality was Odubeko’s performance was so ineffective he was subjected to a double substitution just an hour later as West Ham went into extra-time.
Odubeko looked devastated and humiliated by Moyes’s decision. Especially since West Ham had no other striker options and were pushing for a goal.
The truth is Odubeko did not impose himself on the game. He shirked several challenges and any physical contact throughout a turgid match.
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Many felt Moyes was out of order with his treatment of the promising young West Ham striker, who only turned 18 in October.
talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein labelled the West Ham manager ‘disgusting’.
Odubeko showed great maturity after the dust had settled, taking to social media to thank fans for their support and Moyes for giving him the chance to make his debut.
The striker vowed to get better and said he will use the experience to improve.
“It’s an honour to get minutes for this club but unfortunately the result didn’t go our way,” Odubeko said after the game.
“Yesterday’s game has taught me a lot about myself and the levels I need to produce to obtain my dreams and help the team in the future.
“A lesson learnt and experience gained that I can only thank the manager for. Thanks to all the fans for the supportive messages. Time to step it up!”
Odubeko was in the squad again for the win over Sheffield United in Michail Antonio’s absence.
But he looks set to drop out when the forward is fit again, possibly against Spurs this weekend.
Legend Cottee offers Odubeko some sage advice and backs young forward to get more opportunities
Now Hammers legend Tony Cottee has offered the young forward some sage advice, telling Odubeko he must work harder the next time he gets a chance (whufc.com).
“I have read a few bits on social media about Mipo Odubeko being substituted after being sent on as a substitute himself at Old Trafford,” Cottee told whufc.com.
“For me, you’ve got be rational with what you say to the young boy because, firstly, he deserves congratulations for being in the squad and earning the chance to come on at Old Trafford in an FA Cup fifth round tie.
“And, while I’m not a fan of substitutes being substituted, there were exceptional circumstances as the game had gone into extra-time.
“People have got to understand that we could make another change and we had ten minutes left David Moyes had to do what he thought would give his team the opportunity to get back in it, and at that time he felt bringing Manuel Lanzini on was that decision.
“I’m sure David would have spoken to Mipo after the game and explained the reasoning behind it.
“Also, as a player, you have to assess your own performance and as yourself if you worked hard enough and did enough for the team?
“All in all, rather than let it have a lasting negative effect, you put it down to experience and move on because I suspect further opportunities will come for Mipo and we’re going to need him during the run-in.”
A voice of reason in an increasingly knee-jerk football landscape. Well said Tony.
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