Former West Ham United starlet Gideon Kodua walked off to a ‘brilliant ovation’ from the Luton Town fans, but Saturday’s 2-1 away win at Wycombe Wanderers was his eleventh game without a goal for Jack Wilshere’s side.
When Luton completed the permanent signing of Kodua in early-February, the versatile wideman was coming off a run of five in four matches. Gideon Kodua was not only The Hatters’ top scorer, he was also becoming a scorer of very big goals.
Three of his ten Luton strikes have come in stoppage time, including a last-gasp strike to avoid an FA Cup upset against non-league Forest Green Rovers.
Kodua leaves for just £1m after nine goals in 17 starts…
How do YOU feel about the deal?
A recent barren run from the ex-West Ham United Under-21 captain has, however, coincided not only with his permanent move to Kenilworth Road, but also a worrying dip from Luton as a whole.
A decline arrested, at least, at Adams Park on Saturday; their fading play-off hopes revived.
Jack Wilshere opens up on Luton’s plans for ex-West Ham United starlet Gideon Kodua
Speaking to Luton Today, former England, Arsenal and West Ham playmaker Wilshere admits that Kodua has ‘struggled’ of late. He puts that down not to the increased pressure or the signing of a full-time deal, but to the fact he is wary of overplaying and demanding too much of the 21-year-old.
“Gids has been in and out, and I’m really conscious with Gids. He’s a young player who’s been really good for us and I’m really happy with him,” Wilshere said while handing Kodua his first League One start since being taken off at half-time against Cardiff a month ago.
“The reason why we made him a permanent signing and that was something I really wanted to do, for two reasons. Number one, because he’s been really good for us. But number two, I know that sometimes that can play on a player’s mind, what’s going to happen next year?
“We wanted to give him that comfort that he is one of us and we see him as a long term player for us and we have to keep working with him.
“Why he’s been in and out; he’s struggled at times to find his rhythm. He is a player I think that needs to play a few games to really get up to speed and get his rhythm, but also he’s played over double the [number of] minutes he’s ever done before, so there is managing that side of it as well.
“But Gids is really, really in my plans and someone that I love working with. He’s a top kid, he wants to get better, he’s asking the questions like you are, why has he not been in the team and I like that about him. He’s someone that is a really big part of my plans.”
West Ham’s U21s can win a trophy on Tuesday! 🏆 🍾
What would silverware mean for our academy?
Kodua captained Hammers to Youth Cup glory v Wilshere’s Arsenal
Wilshere was the Arsenal Under-18 boss when Gideon Kodua captained West Ham to Youth Cup glory in 2023. He scored with a sublime lob in a 5-1 obliteration of the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium three years ago, his current boss left defeated but full of admiration on the touchline.
Speaking of youth team success, West Ham’s Under-21s face Boreham Wood in the National League Cup final on Tuesday night.
The Hammers also beat Reading to claim the Premier League Cup last season, Josh Ajala scoring twice in a 2-1 victory.
Cup specialist Ajala is hoping to make a first-team debut soon, having already made the step up from U18s to the U21s pretty effortlessly. It remains to be seen if the likes of he, Airidas Golambeckis, Regan Clayton and Preston Fearon can follow in the footsteps of Ollie Scarles and Ezra Mayers, or whether they drop down a division or two in search of weekly first-team exposure, a la Kodua.
According to Luton Today, Kodua did produce one of his better performances in recent weeks at Wycombe. He departed to a ‘brilliant ovation’ from a fanbase who, like Wilshere, have taken him to their hearts.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
