As West Ham United look for their first home victory over Tottenham Hotspur since 2021, Graham Potter’s side could hardly be facing the Premier League underachievers at a better time.
Ange Postecoglou confirmed a quadruple injury blow for Spurs in his Friday press conferece.
Tottenham could travel to the London Stadium without Dominic Solanke, James Maddison or Heung-Min Son. Three of their top-five Premier League goalscorers this season. And in a week in which West Ham lost Crysencio Summerville until the summer, rising star Lucas Bergvall would suffer the very same fate down the road at Spurs.
Furthermore, while Potter has almost a clean bill of health Summerville-aside, Tottenham’s already stretched squad will cross the London divide on the back of an energy-sapping Europa League semi-final only three days prior. A first home derby win in four years, then, may just be on the cards.
But while West Ham’s season is beyond repair at this stage – regardless of Sunday’s result – Mark Robson’s Under-21 side at least have something to play for beyond pride and bragging rights.
Kamarai Swyer labelled West Ham United’s ‘One to Watch’
While sitting an impressive fourth in the Premier League 2 table – level with Chelsea and above Manchester United – Robson’s fresh-faced Hammers travel to Leigh Sports Village on Bank Holiday Monday with a semi-final play-off place within their grasp.
Beat Man United’s own rising stars in a play-off campaign made up of the Premier League 2’s top eight teams, and a last-four spot will be theirs with Man City and Arsenal waiting in the wings.
The official West Ham website, meanwhile, singled out the in-form Kamarai Swyer as Robson’s ‘One to Watch’.
A gifted attacker who can score or create, Swyer has eight goal contributions in his last 11 Premier League 2 appearances. He also set up Joshua Ajala’s first minute opener during the 3-1 victory over Sunderland in the round-of-16.
“The player with the most direct goal involvements for West Ham’s U21s, Kamarai Swyer has eight goals and ten assists this season,” the club’s official website explain.
“His combination of strength and skill have made him an indispensable figure on the wing for the development side. His hold up play when playing out under pressure and his ability to drive the ball at defenders have been central to West Ham’s attacking play all season.”
Swyer is at a crossroads under Hammers boss Graham Potter
Swyer was named in Graham Potter’s 25-man Premier League squad following the close of the January transfer window.
Swyer featured in first-team training a couple of times throughout the season as well. This feels like a crucial juncture in his young career, the 22-year-old set to outgrow academy football sooner rather than later.
With his involvement in senior football coming via a brief loan spell at Crawley Town in 2023/24 and a seven-minute cameo in the UEFA Europa League, the next step for Swyer may be a stint at a League One or Championship club.
Or, perhaps, a promotion to the fringes of Potter’s first-team, his childhood ambition of becoming a West Ham regular looking more and more achievable with every dazzling display at youth level.
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