ExWHUemployee has been speaking on the latest edition of The West Ham Way podcast to discuss the future of one of their academy graduates, Conor Coventry.
The 21-year-old has only made the bench on two occasions this season for the Hammers in the Premier League but has featured 13 times for the U23 side having netted on four occasions in those appearances (via Transfermarkt).
West Ham’s star midfielder, Declan Rice, will be out of action for around a month after suffering a knee injury whilst on international duty with England.
The youngster is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Hammers but did make his professional debut under Manuel Pellegrini in 2018 in the League Cup against Macclesfield Town.
In his absence, Ex made it clear he believes the 21-year-old should at least be given the opportunity to be named in the matchday squad but has provided Coventry with some words of advice if he wishes to progress at the club.
He said: “What I believe Conor needs to do and this is something that I believe from what I know personally [about] the situation but also what I know from other sort of coaches and staff there that he needs to go and speak to David Moyes. Because I know that the backroom staff rate him, I know that Nolan and staff has said what a good player is and there are also the academy staff think it as well.
“But I think he needs to go to David Moyes and he needs to say to him look whilst Declan’s out I’m not asking you to start me, but I’m asking you to at least consider that I could be on the bench or I can have a go at this. Let me train with the first XI, which he does more often than not anyway, and let me prove to you that I’m the person to be given the chance to because the fact that he didn’t even make the bench [against Wolves] was ridiculous, really.”
Should Coventry be given a chance by Moyes?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Ex’s comments…
Ex has spoken very highly of Coventry in previous podcasts and continues to do so, but believes the 21-year-old must take action now having not been included in the matchday squad for their victory over Wolves on Monday night. Although it is not the path Declan Rice has taken, a move out on loan has been a proven success for other players.
Coventry only has to look at his teammate, Jesse Lingard, to see what a loan move can do for a player’s career. The Manchester United man was outcasted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but has excelled since making the move to the Hammers having netted six times in his eight Premier League appearances for the Londoners.
In other news: ‘We should have done it earlier’ – David Gold speaks out on big 2017 West Ham decision