ON Wednesday evening Hammers Under-18s take on Blackburn Rovers at
Upton Park in the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round, hoping to repeat the
Club's victory in the competition back in May 1999.
Here, members of the Hammers squad to take on Blackburn, reveal how
they hope to follow in the West Ham United Academy's
illustrious tradition.
Matt Reed - Goalkeeper
"I've never played a Youth match against Blackburn so
it's difficult to know what to expect. They are top of their FA
Premier Academy Group and we're expecting a very different game
to the last round against Gillingham. The Gills were a physical and
direct side, but Blackburn will probably be a bit cuter with their
football. It's going to be a very tough game.
But the atmosphere has been good in training, despite us coming
into the game off the back of a couple of League defeats. It's
great for us to get the chance to play at Upton Park as well.
It's a really great Stadium and a little more comfortable than
most of the boys are used to.
In the last round, the game went to extra-time so we have been
practicing a few penalties in training recently. It was more for
the outfield players than the goalkeepers to be honest, but you
have to be well-prepared in these sort of Cup matches, no matter
how determined you are to go through in normal time.
Everyone is really excited about the game and hopefully we can put
in a good performance."
Ollie Allen - Forward
"I'm really looking forward to the game. I had to come off
against Gillingham, so I'm hoping to play a full part against
Blackburn on Wednesday. The last round was a really strange game
for us, scoring six goals to win. We didn't defend as well as
we would have liked, but to score so many was obviously a huge
confidence boost for us.
Footballing wise I don't know too much about Blackburn,
although I know a few of the lads from my cricketing days when I
played for Essex against Lancashire.
I've heard that they're a really good side though, so
everyone's expecting a tough, physical game against them.
I'm playing in a wide role at the moment, with Moses Ashikodi
and Tony Stokes up front and I've really started to enjoy it
out there. It gives me a lot of freedom and I also feel that I can
score goals out there as well as supply them for other people.
I'm not sure where I will play on Wednesday yet, but as long as
I'm in the team that's all that matters.
The FA Youth Cup is a massive tournament for the young players and
everyone is really up for it. Hopefully, we can put in a good
performance at Upton Park and earn a place in the Fifth
Round."
Moses Ashikodi - Striker
"Blackburn have been a good side at Youth level for a few
years now, and we're expecting a really hard game. I doubt
they'll be as many goals as there were in the last round, when
we scored six against Gillingham. But we'll also need to defend
a lot better than we did against Gillingham and make sure we
don't make it easy for Blackburn to play. They'll be
physical, but they're bound to have good ability on the ball as
well, and we have to watch out for that.
But we're not scared of anybody. Confidence is high and
everyone is looking forward to the game. We've got some
excellent players, an England international midfield, and if
anything Blackburn should be worrying more about us!"
West Ham United v Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park, kick-off
7.00pm
Youth Cup Dreams
17th January 2005