West ham youngsters look for premier league experience

By Simon Hayes on March 26, 2008 2:32 PM |

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THE KIDS are coming through for Alan Curbishley as he blooded yet another West Ham Academy graduate in the first team.

Saturday’s (March 22) 1-1 draw at Everton saw defender James Tomkins make his senior debut, following in the footsteps of fellow teenagers Jack Collison and Freddie Sears.

Curbishley had no hesitation in pitching Tomkins into the side after injuries ruled out all his senior centre-backs bar Anton Ferdinand.

With Sears coming off the bench and almost snatching another away win for the Hammers with a late effort that hit the post, the fabled West Ham production line seems to be in full working order. And with the amount of money available to the manager to strengthen his squad this summer likely to be limited it’s timely.

Curbishley now has to balance the demands of picking up points with giving the youngsters vital league experience in the remaining seven games of the season.

He told the club website: “I’ve got to have one hat on considering trying to win Premier League matches and points and another one where I’m looking at the future of the club.

“There is a nice spirit when you’ve got the young boys with you. Everything is a bonus to them at the moment and long may it continue. I don’t know how it’s going to shape up in the run-in but if I can put one or two of them in, I will.”

His hand might be forced by the continuing absence of players like Danny Gabbidon, Craig Bellamy and James Collins, although Sears’ form looks likely to earn him a starting place sooner rather than later, after two substitute appearances.

“I’m going to start him in one of the games,” said Curbishley. “I’ve just got to pick it. [Everton] is a tough place to come to. I didn’t think giving two 18-year-olds their debut at Goodison, at the same time, was advisable. But we’ll see what we’ve got in the remainder of the games because certainly we want to see him start a game and see what he’s got.”

This Saturday (March 29) sees the Hammers on the road again as they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Tomkins celebrates his 19th birthday on Saturday and he will be hoping to keep his place in the side, having enjoyed his debut.

“It was a great atmosphere today and such an honour. I’m still speechless now from it,” he told whufc.tv.

“I felt like I grew in confidence and learnt as the game went on. Anton was talking to me every two seconds and was great for me. Obviously Lucas [Neill] talks throughout the game and George [McCartney] helped me along.

“It’s a good experience for me to play against good players
like Yakubu. I loved every minute of it.”

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk