West Ham United U23s wide player Jayden Fevrier is hopeful that he and his teammates can return to winning ways when they travel to face Everton U23s on Monday evening.
The Irons’ development squad were defeated 3-0 by Peterborough United in their last game a week ago, bringing to an end their otherwise-impressive run in the Papa John’s Trophy this season.
It was a scoreline which was not reflective of the overall balance of the match – the young Hammers had good opportunities in the first half – but perhaps the gulf in experience between the two sides, as the senior Posh players were more clinical when it mattered.
Nevertheless, the performance was one which West Ham U23s could take a good measure of encouragement from amidst a challenging run of festive fixtures.
Prior to the U23s’ trip to the Weston Homes Community Stadium came the Hammers’ first Premier League 2 win of the season: a 2-0 victory over an in-form Manchester United U23s side at Rush Green.
With visits to Everton and Manchester City U23s to come before Christmas, Fevrier knows that the conscientiousness the Irons exhibited against the Red Devils will be key to getting more valuable points on the board – with a view to rounding off their 2020 in style.
“We’re very keen to bounce back from last week,” Fevrier confirmed.
“We played really well against Manchester United. We put a lot of hard work in and I feel like that’s something that we can take as the base against Everton. From there, we’re confident we can go and show our quality – and do what we can do.
“There were also lots of positives in the first half against Peterborough. We played some good football, so now it’s just about playing at that level for the whole 90 minutes, particularly when we play against top opposition.
“We’ve worked hard in training and in the last few days to make sure we put the result right, and hopefully we can go up to Everton and get the win.”
The 17-year-old winger has enjoyed something of a second breakthrough so far this season, having missed much of the 2019/20 campaign through extended injury.
The season before that, Fevrier – then aged 15 years, six months and 12 days – became the youngest ever player to be fielded by West Ham’s reserve team, coming on against Leicester U23s and breaking the record previously set by club captain Mark Noble in February 2003.
I love football and every time I step on the pitch I’m happy and feel proud in myself
Jayden Fevrier
Capable of filling in offensively and defensively on either flank, the versatile Fevrier marked his return to Premier League 2 action against Leicester last month before getting his first start at development squad level in that 2-0 win over Manchester United.
It was at U18s level where Fevrier delivered his best performance of the season so far, however – a brilliant brace against Luton Town U18s in the FA Youth Cup third round, which the young Hammers won 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw after extra-time.
The joy on the youngster’s face was salient after both a stunning 25-yard free-kick found the net, and then later an emphatic finish from Kamarai Swyer’s through-ball in extra-time.
“I love football and every time I step on the pitch I’m happy and feel proud in myself,” Fevrier beamed.
“This is what I want to do and this is what I was made for.”
West Ham United U23s take on Everton U23s on Monday 14 December in Premier League 2. Kick-off is at 7pm; you can follow all the action with our live blog on whufc.com from 6.30pm.
