There is no doubt a midfield two of Patrick Kelly and Lewis Orford have been key to West Ham United U21s' impressive form ahead of the September international break.
The young Hammers have set up in a 3-4-3 formation under lead coach Steve Potts – and are thriving. They have won their last four matches in all competitions.
Amongst the success, is a midfield two to star at U18 last season, who are more than making PL2 their own this term.
“Obviously a lot of us are stepping up from the U18s last year,” Kelly, who is part of a hatful of players alongside Kaelan Casey, Sean Tarima, Ollie Scarles, Orford, Gideon Kodua, Callum Marshall and George Earthy to make the move the U21 football for 2023/24, explained.
“There’s a good part of the team that started in the FA Youth Cup final that will be involved [in PL2] this season.”
This year, in a 3-4-3 formation, the midfield pair have given protection to the back-three as the Irons’ wingbacks Ollie Scarles and Dan Chesters have joined the attack, often pushing on to create a front five.
In wins over Sunderland, Valencia, Leeds United, and Everton it has been clear this is a midfield two that understand and complement each other’s games. Often the dynamic is effortless. The work put in on the training pitch this - and last - season has transitioned to winning momentum this term.
“We had that connection last season in the U18s as well,” Orford, who scored in the recent win over Everton, stated, on his partnership with fellow midfielder Kelly.
“Me and PK played most of the games as a two in the middle, so it helps with this season.
“We have a really good connection on and off the field and we work well together. If one of us goes forward, the other is covering. I think it is working really perfectly at the moment.”
Kelly, the more defensive-minded of the pair, agrees. “Me, and Lewis have a really good bond with each other on the pitch. We played centre-midfield together for most of last season, and because of that we have a really strong bond and enjoy playing our football with each other.
“You need to cover everything in midfield. So, it’s good we have Lewis going forward and then me doing a bit more of dirty work.
"We play as a pair, for sure. We won a lot of games together last season, so hopefully, we can continue that at PL2 too.”
Of course, that will be the aim. And the next test following the return from the international break, where Kelly featured for Northern Ireland U21s – and Orford was named on England U18s standby list – will be Celtic.
A chance to record consecutive wins in the Premier League International Cup on Friday night. A match against a hugely historic club too - you’ve got to be excited about that?
“Yeah, I am,” Orford enthused. “It was important to get that run of wins going into the international break before Celtic. I am looking forward to that one – and hopefully we can get another three points.”
