Results tagged “Freddie Sears”

HE’S the godfather of Green Street, the man who has nurtured the talent emerging from West Ham’s youth academy over the past 35 years.

But academy director Tony Carr is not resting on his laurels because he knows the work he and his staff do is of incalculable benefit to the club, especially in the economic climate.

Freddie Sears, James Tomkins and Jack Collison are the latest academy graduates to make an impression on the first-team squad but Carr is determined to keep the conveyor-belt of talent turning.

THE SEASON can’t end soon enough for Alan Curbishley and his injury-ravaged West Ham squad.

Saturday’s (March 29) 2-1 defeat at Sunderland – courtesy of ex-Charlton star Andy Reid’s last-minute volley – was of less consequence than the loss of more players to the treatment table.

George McCartney and Freddie Ljungberg both picked up hamstring injuries, while Carlton Cole (sore foot) and John Pantsil (concussion) also suffered knocks.

It leaves Curbishley short of options with just six games of the season left to play. Matty Etherington and Julien Faubert were ruled out for the rest of the campaign last week and the Hammers travelled to Sunderland with just 17 fit players.

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.

THESE are troubled times at Upton Park but the West Ham board are placing their faith in manager Alan Curbishley – for the time being.

His future has become the subject of increasing media speculation after the recent run of poor results, culminating in Sunday’s (March 9) capitulation at Tottenham, their third 4-0 defeat in a row.