No fewer than 24 players featured for West Ham United in Wednesday’s 5-0 pre-season shellacking of Stevenage.
And, in truth, the vast majority of those 24 players performed very well indeed.
Forgotten man James Ward-Prowse gave Nuno a lot to ponder by capping a fabulous 45-minute outing with a rare goal. Mohamadou Kante earned comparisons with Mark Noble. Airidas Golambeckis stepped up in Dinos Mavropanos’ absence.
And teenage debutant Jett Murphy capped a fine evening with a late tap-in.
A 5-star showing in Stevenage! Who stood out most to you?
Goals for JWP, Taty, Orford, Ajala and newbie Murphy ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
Yes, the opposition was hardly stellar – although Stevenage were one play-off semi-final victory away from Wembley in May – but the West Ham United boss could hardly have wished for a more comfortable, thought-provoking evening.
Lewis Orford scores as West Ham United batter Stevenage
On a night when James Collins likened Kante to Noble, one of the visitors’ goalscorers earned comparisons with a young Declan Rice.
Unhelpful comparisons, maybe. But the stride and swagger of Lewis Orford – peacocking around the pitch with his head high and his passes probing – certainly got fans talking.
Not to mention his sublime, curling shot which gave West Ham a 3-0 lead against the side for whom he played only 16 League One minutes in the most forgettable of loan spells.
“Some goal from Orford,” one fan wrote on social media. “Such a talented player who would adapt well to a high standard of football in my opinion. Hopefully, [he will] get some minutes this season.”
“Needs to be confident in his ability,” another says. “He’s got what it takes but sometimes looks like he questions his ability. When Declan first started out, he played every game like he had that [feeling of] ‘I’m going to show I’m the best player on the field and run this game’.
“Lewis can and should do it.”
“The way he travels with the ball, his technique and reading of the game is all very similar to Declan as a youngster A massive season for LO61.”
“Really like Orford when I’ve seen him play. Think he could cope at Championship level.”
“No doubting the technical quality, just needs the fire.”
“Not even sure he needs a loan in my opinion. Just get him in and around the first-team. Clearly good enough.”
You could say the same about a hatful of other youngsters who entered the fray in Hertfordshire.
Josh Ajala and Preston Fearon combine for Jett Murphy goal
Captain Jarrod Bowen called Preston Fearon a ‘special’ talent this time last year, having found himself on the wrong end of one of the midfielder’s trademark nutmegs on the training pitch. There were no classic caño’s from the number 68 in Stevenage, but Fearon did play a key role in Murphy’s goal with what James Collins on commentary duty called an ‘unbelievable’ pass with the outside of his boot.
And of course it was Josh Ajala who bundled the ball into Murphy’s path.
Which Hammers players are you expecting to SHINE in the Championship? 🌟
They say you make your own luck, and Ajala was the perfect embodiment of that last night. Both his goal and his assist carried an element of fortune – he deflected Kaelan Casey’s wayward volley in for 4-0 – but they were also the result of the teenager’s incessant desire to make something happen.
“Ajala, I am a huge fan of,” another fan said. “Hope he’s able to break straight into the first-team this season with us being in the Championship. Glad Jett Murphy got a goal as well.”
“Very good. Impressed with Preston, would like to see him more as well as Ajala,” another agrees.
“I love Ajala. Rate him highly. Seen him play for the U21’s and he’s always on the scoresheet.”
“Josh Ajala, you have a fan in me, wow.”
“Preston Fearon having a game. In my opinion, he has earned more minutes with the first-team.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
