Alan Curbishley is looking forward to a bright future at West Ham United as summed up by the arrival of Freddie Sears into the first-team picture.
The 18-year-old striker set the Boleyn Ground abuzz on Saturday with a scintillating performance that saw him score the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers barely five minutes after coming on as substitute. According to Curbishley, there is much more to come with a whole crop of talented teens to go with the experienced names amassed in the past year.
"I don't think anybody at the club is thinking anything other than progressing and strengthening," the manager said. "That is why we are looking at this technical director and everything else because we want to be pushing forward. I firmly believe if I have the squad available we have an opportunity to push forward."
Curbishley feels the key to success is a blend of youth and experience - with the likes of Sears, 20-year-old Mark Noble, 22-year-old Jonathan Spector and 23-year-old Anton Ferdinand complemented on Saturday by the know-how of proven performers like Scott Parker and Freddie Ljungberg. "It is a nice healthy mixture," the manager said, predicting that with the advent of seven substitutes next season there would be more opportunities for Academy youngsters.
As well as Sears, Curbishley had fellow 18-year-old James Tomkins, with the defender also an England U19 international, on the bench while he reminded that Wales Under-21 midfielder Jack Collison, still only 19 and who made his debut on New Year's Day, "has been impressing". Then there is 20-year-old winger Kyel Reid who was also due to be involved until Ferdinand "complained about his groin" and the manager had to rethink his substitute options.
The manager said he was "really pleased" after Ferdinand overcame his injury worries to impress - especially on a day when the side were again without England centre-back Matthew Upson. "We have all took a bit of criticism in the last week [after the Tottenham Hotspur defeat]. There is no hiding and he couldn't hide either ... He is still a young player in my eyes. He took it on the chin and I suppose he could have quite easily said [his groin] was a bit sore and we would have had to get on with it but he knew he had to get a performance in."
Also earning praise was Ashton, and not only for his "very good finish" and assist for Sears. The duo had teamed up in a recent reserve match and Curbishley was impressed. "In the second half, [Freddie] and Deano played up front and he bounced things off of him and was prepared to run in behind him". That was shown again at the weekend and the manager was not surprised that Sears' "legs were getting shorter the longer he was on the pitch" as the nervous energy took hold. "Anyone would respond to Freddie. He is bubbly." Few would disagree.