When everything’s clicking for you and your team, there are few better feelings, as realised by Emmanuel Longelo during West Ham United U23s’ 4-0 win over Newcastle on Monday afternoon.
The left-sided player, who started pre-season as a more offensive player but has made an effective transformation to a rampaging left-back this campaign, was initially named on the bench as Halajko shuffled his defensive pack.
When Ben Johnson left the field with injury after a quarter of an hour, however, Longelo received the call, coming on for his 16th appearance of the season – and a sixth appearance playing against older brother Rosaire, who was representing Newcastle.
While Longelo was naturally initially disappointed not to be in the starting eleven, the left-back recovered to put in an outstanding display – one of many in a Claret and Blue shirt on the day – as West Ham ran out 4-0 winners.
Being part of such a comprehensive performance – with goals from Anthony Scully, Nathan Holland (2) and Alfie Lewis – was enough to put a smile on everybody’s faces, according to Longelo.
“I didn’t start which was tough to take, but the team is in a good run of form so I knew I just had to try to come on and play my game,” he said. “It was really fun out there for all of us and we went away with the win.
“I just kept my head up. It’s very important to stay ready. The shout surprised me because I didn’t see Jonno go down until late. In my mind I was ready, but physically it surprised me at first! I was waiting for an opportunity to come on and I believe I took it.
“It was good to play against him [Rosaire], for the sixth time now. It’s something we’ve both dreamt of. The emotion's always a bit high but it’s football at the end of the day, so you put the relationship aside and just play the game really.
“I enjoyed the game a lot, and I’m really enjoying my football. We’re winning most games, and it’s just enjoyable right now being around everyone.”
Right now we’re at the top and it’s important that we stay there... we have to remain focused and, in every game we play, close it out
Emmanuel Longelo
The U23s’ 4-0 win ensures that they will head into Christmas at the top of Premier League 2 Division 2, with eleven wins from thirteen games played, ahead of a three-week break in their fixtures.
Hot on their heels are Manchester United U23s, and after the Red Devils closed the gap following the Hammers’ late slip at Fulham U23s last time around, Longelo stressed the importance of making every fixture count at this point in the season.
“We just need to play consistently,” he said. “Right now we’re at the top and it’s important that we stay there because Manchester United are closing the gap, so we have to remain focused and, in every game we play, close it out.
“The team’s in good form and we want to keep our momentum going into the new year, but it’s always physically good to have a break. The team are working hard all year – we’re working hard from the start of pre-season up until now, and we’ve kept at it, so there’s a bit of mixed emotions for us about it.”
As for 2020, Longelo hopes the team continue to push for silverware, while aspiring to add to his personal attacking tally.
“I want to get a few more assists and clean sheets in the new year,” he said. “Adding more goals to my game would be good for me too, but above all, I want to – we want to – win the league.”
