Carr calls for support

Academy Director Tony Carr has urged supporters to cheer on West Ham United's youth teams on Saturday morning.

With the first team not kicking off their Barclays Premier League fixture with Liverpool until 5.30pm, fans have plenty of time to visit Little Heath to watch the club's Under-18 and Under-16 sides in action.

The Academy sides kick-off at 11am, with Cardiff City providing the opposition for both the U18s and U16s.

Carr said: "The games both kick-off at 11am, so fans can come down and see the youngsters in action and still get to the Boleyn Ground in good time for the Liverpool game.

"The youngsters, like any team, are inspired when they have a big crowd cheering them on, so the support would be greatly appreciated."

The U18s will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats on Saturday, having gone down to Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City.

Carr said that, while results are not as important as performances at youth-team level, he would naturally be happy to see both teams score victories this weekend.

"Obviously we are looking for an improved performance from the Under-18s after three consecutive defeats. The only game we have really been outplayed in was the Spurs one, when we lost 5-2, so we're not far away from a decent performance and a decent result."

Admission and parking at Little Heath, off Hainault Road, are free.