Academy midfielder Joe Powell believes the experience of playing in front of a boisterous full house at Canvey Island will stand the Hammers' youngsters in good stead
Academy midfielder Joe Powell believes the experience of playing in front of a boisterous full house at Canvey Island will stand the Hammers' youngsters in good stead as they kick off their Barclays U18 Premier League campaign at Fulham on Saturday.
Though the visitors fell to a 2-0 defeat on the night, first-year scholar Powell says he and his colleagues will be better for having played against senior pros, understandably a rarity for West Ham’s Academy boys.
First up is a trip to the Cottagers’ Motspur Park training ground for an 11am kick-off on Saturday for what Powell expects to be a suitably tough start.
“Fulham have always had a good academy, it will be a tough game for us but hopefully we can go there and get the three points," Powell said.
“Everyone's had the experience now of what it's like to play against grown men and the physicality of the game, so hopefully we can adapt to the game that much easier as we grow up.
“To play against men, physically, is a battle, I think technically I coped with it well, getting on the ball and spraying it about. It was a good game.”
Academy Manager Terry Westley agreed, citing Powell as one of the Hammers’ brightest performers on Wednesday evening.
“I personally thought Powell [was the pick of the bunch], he picked up a lot of the ball and made a lot of passes,” Westley confirmed.
“Was I critical, yes, because he's had it too deep, and he wasn't threatening enough, but he showed me glimpses for a first-year scholar at 16 that he can play. He can make things happen for us.”
Powell himself is pleased with how pre-season has panned out, but knows there is plenty more hard work to be done in the weeks and months ahead, if he is to replicate the likes of Reece Oxford in rising through the ranks.
“It's been a great pre-season for myself, personally, and obviously for all the age groups.
“I've seen Reece Oxford is doing well, playing with the first team quite regularly and I wish him all the best. Hopefully he keeps going on with positive vibes and progresses.
“I spoke to Terry and he said he can see improvements in my game, technically, he said, I've always been good but there's always work to be done. Hopefully I can see myself in that squad soon.”
Though the visitors fell to a 2-0 defeat on the night, first-year scholar Powell says he and his colleagues will be better for having played against senior pros, understandably a rarity for West Ham’s Academy boys.
First up is a trip to the Cottagers’ Motspur Park training ground for an 11am kick-off on Saturday for what Powell expects to be a suitably tough start.
“Fulham have always had a good academy, it will be a tough game for us but hopefully we can go there and get the three points," Powell said.
“Everyone's had the experience now of what it's like to play against grown men and the physicality of the game, so hopefully we can adapt to the game that much easier as we grow up.
“To play against men, physically, is a battle, I think technically I coped with it well, getting on the ball and spraying it about. It was a good game.”
Academy Manager Terry Westley agreed, citing Powell as one of the Hammers’ brightest performers on Wednesday evening.
“I personally thought Powell [was the pick of the bunch], he picked up a lot of the ball and made a lot of passes,” Westley confirmed.
“Was I critical, yes, because he's had it too deep, and he wasn't threatening enough, but he showed me glimpses for a first-year scholar at 16 that he can play. He can make things happen for us.”
Powell himself is pleased with how pre-season has panned out, but knows there is plenty more hard work to be done in the weeks and months ahead, if he is to replicate the likes of Reece Oxford in rising through the ranks.
“It's been a great pre-season for myself, personally, and obviously for all the age groups.
“I've seen Reece Oxford is doing well, playing with the first team quite regularly and I wish him all the best. Hopefully he keeps going on with positive vibes and progresses.
“I spoke to Terry and he said he can see improvements in my game, technically, he said, I've always been good but there's always work to be done. Hopefully I can see myself in that squad soon.”