This will be the Hammers first outing in the FA Youth Cup this season, having entered the tournament at the Third Round Stage.
Academy Director Tony Carr admits that it is a tough draw against a side that beat Liverpool at Anfield in last season's competition.
"Gillingham is a tough draw," admitted Tony, "but we're still confident that we can go there and put on a good performance.
"I know Darren Hare who runs their youth-team, and after
that result at Anfield last season I'm sure they'll be
confident that they can cause another upset. But we'll go out,
play to our strengths and hopefully come away with the right
result."
Despite both clubs fighting it out in the Championship, the youth
systems at Gillingham and West Ham United differ in their set-ups,
as Tony explains.
"A lot of the Gillingham youth-team players have been involved with the first-team this season," he said, "which means they will have more experience of the physical and mental strength needed in professional football.
"At clubs like Gillingham, where the pool of senior players is smaller, the young lads are expected to go into the first-team squad a lot earlier in their development. It's a sink or swim situation and consequently the young players are forced to grow up really quickly.
"At bigger clubs like West Ham United there is more of a gradual integration with senior football, but we have some really talented players in our squad and we're confident of getting a result."
Tony is also hopeful that young midfielders Chris Cohen and Mark Noble, who have been regularly involved with the first-team this season, will be released to play against Gillingham.
"I'm fairly confident that if Chris and Mark are injury free then they will be allowed to play," revealed Tony. "They are two of our players with experience of senior football and they'll be important for us.
"Knowing Mark and Chris I'm sure they'll want to be involved, and all the players are really looking forward to the tie."
Courtesy Tony Fowles, Ironworks Gazette