West Ham United U21s v Derby County U21s
Premier League 2, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 5 April 2024, 7pm BST
West Ham United U21s will seek successive Premier League 2 wins when they host Derby County on Friday evening.
The young Hammers are currently second in the standings, losing just three of their 17 league fixtures in 2023/24.
Steve Potts’ side defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 in their final fixture before the March international break – and with a hatful of young Hammers featuring for their countries over the past couple of weeks, head into Friday’s fixture full of confidence.
Read on for our full preview below...
How To Follow...
Friday’s fixture will be live-streamed on the Club’s website and YouTube channel.
A live blog will be available on the Club’s website and app, while a match report, highlights, and reaction will follow shortly after the full-time whistle.
Tickets...
Tickets are available to buy from the turnstiles on Friday evening. U18s are priced at £1, while Adult tickets cost £5.
Premier League 2 explained...
The competition has a new format this season, with one division made up of 26 clubs with Category One Academies. Each team will play 20 regular season fixtures, after which the top 16 teams will qualify for a single elimination play-off.
In addition, the teams finishing the regular season in the top 12 will be invited to take part in next season’s Premier League International Cup.
Robinson enjoying the responsibility of the wing-back role...
Having just signed a new contract with his boyhood Club, there is plenty of reason for Junior Robinson to be excited ahead of Friday’s fixture.
The skilful wing-back has been a huge part of the U21s’ success under Steve Potts this season and is adapting well to his new role.
“I have been working hard on learning how to play as a full-back and it helps to have Steve as your manager,” Robinson enthused, on playing in a more defensive role over the past few seasons.
“I don’t think many people understand the game better defensively than Steve and he drills that into us every day. I am near the sideline in matches and close to the coaches, so Steve is always coaching us and coaching me. Even if it is just small things, it has a huge impact.”
Positive performances have seen the young Hammers move towards the top of the tree in Premier League 2 ahead of the league’s knockout stage.
And sitting second as it stands, the 19-year-old wants to turn the 2023/24 season into a winning one.
He added: “It will be nice to win something this year. I missed out on playing in the FA Youth Cup team last season [Robinson was too old by a few months, although he was born in 2004 like many of the 2023 winners].
“It would be nice to win something with the U21s to round off an enjoyable season!”
Opposition…
Derby County are 23rd in the Premier League 2 table, having won four of their 17 league games.
However, Friday’s visitors should not be underestimated. As 4-2 wins over both Manchester United and Manchester City have shown this season, they have plenty of quality in their ranks to leave east London with reward.
The Rams have also beaten Reading and West Bromwich Albion and picked up an impressive draw against Liverpool on the opening day.
Story So Far…
With the March international break concluding, it is into the business end of the season for West Ham United U21s.
Potts’ outfit are challenging on two fronts and – sitting in second place – are well on their way to securing a place in the top 16 and the PL2 knockouts, with a Premier League International Cup semi-final against PSV Eindhoven also set for Tuesday 9 April.
As it stands, no side has scored more goals this season than the free-scoring Hammers, who have won eleven of their first 17 league fixtures.
