Academy

Preview: U21s host Everton in PL2

31st August 2023

West Ham United U21s v Everton
Premier League 2, Rush Green Stadium, Friday 1 September, 7pm BST

West Ham United U21s continue their Premier League 2 campaign when Everton travel to east London on Friday evening.

The Irons seek to stretch a winning run to four matches following recent triumphs over Sunderland, Valencia, and Leeds United.

With eight goals across their last three matches, Steve Potts’ men will be confident ahead of their fourth PL2 outing of the season.

Read on for our preview below:

Potts: It’s important we kick on now!

It is important to continue the winning momentum into the U21s’ last fixture before the September international break, according to lead coach Steve Potts.

The Hammers will host Everton on Friday evening, before a two-week break ahead of their next fixture due to the September internationals.

The Toffees is the challenge for the U21s, then; the task is to record a fourth win on the bounce.

Positives can of course be taken from recent victories over Sunderland, Valencia, and Leeds United, although Potts believes there is more to come from his side despite a 5-2 win at Elland Road last time out.

He stated: “They have shown how they can play but I think they can play better. I have seen glimpses or patches in games where I have thought: ‘Yeah, that’s good.’ But I am yet to see them do that for 90 minutes.

“That has to be the aim to produce that quality for longer periods of the games and it is just putting it together now.

"I think that will come as the season progresses but, for us, it’s about controlling the match in-possession more and passing the ball with the purpose of hurting the opposition [throughout the game].”

Chesters' form key to attacking output

Speaking after training this week, Dan Chesters agrees with the lead coach and is heading into Friday’s fixture against Everton full of confidence.

The young wing-back has started each of the Irons’ last three victories across all competitions, playing his part in both an attacking and defensive sense.

Seeking a third straight clean sheet on home soil, Chesters stated: “We had a good week’s training and are heading into the game against Everton with a lot of confidence.

“All the lads have come back buzzing after a few days off and are ready to give it everything on Friday.

“I think we have a couple more levels we can get too. We had so many chances against Leeds and should have scored more.”

On a personal level, there is no doubt Chesters has been impressive at U21 level this season.

The 21-year-old featured in the summer tour to Australia, and now has his sights set on more action at the senior level this term. The new wing-back position one he is looking to make his own long-term.

He added: “I don’t mind wing-back because you have that time and space to take players on.

“You have a lot of influence on the game as you see a lot of the ball, more of the ball than when you are on the wing. I just want to keep showing what I can do in that position.”

Last Time Out

A third win on the bounce came the way of West Ham United U21s who ran riot at Elland Road on Friday evening.

Steve Potts’ men swept past Sunderland and Valencia in recent victories and quickly had Leeds United in their sights in their third PL2 outing of the campaign.

Goals from Kaelan Casey and Ollie Scarles, alongside a hat-trick from Callum Marshall, saw the Hammers impressive win at Elland Road.

Opposition

It has been a difficult start to the Premier League 2 season for Everton U21s.

Coached by Paul Tait, the young Toffees have lost two of their opening three fixtures, picking up a sole point in a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.

Heavy defeats to both Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion mean Everton will seek a response in east London. The Hammers will hope to deny them just that.