West Ham United U21s step up their Premier League 2 preparations with friendlies against Ebbsfleet United and Colchester United this week.
The young Hammers will take on Vanarama National League side Ebbsfleet on Tuesday 25 July, before travelling to EFL League Two outfit Colchester United on Friday 28 July.
Ebbsfleet finished top of the National League South last season with 32 wins from their 46 matches, securing promotion to the fifth tier of English football, while Colchester United, finished 20th, taking 49 points, including 12 wins, across a hard-fought campaign in which they secured their EFL status.
The young Hammers, though, are ready to kick-on across the two pre-season matches, as their Premier League 2 opener creeps ever closer!
Robson ready for stern football league tests for U21s
A quick turnaround between fixtures gives the U21s and lead coach Mark Robson the chance to become accustomed to the demands of the Premier League 2 season.
The young Hammers will, of course, play in the development league but can also expect further challenges in competitions such as the Papa Johns Trophy and Premier League International Cup. A busy fixture list, then.
For Robson, friendlies against Ebbsfleet United and Colchester United give the U21s are chance to test themselves against sides from across the English football pyramid too.
The lead coach explained: “Both friendlies against Ebbsfleet and Colchester give the boys another chance to test themselves against experienced pros.
“A lot of our squad for this season are making the step up from the U18 level and others are pushing for first-team opportunities too, so it will be important they learn to deal with the challenges of coming up against experienced and more physical players from the Football League and National League.
“It’s an exciting season for the U21s next year, and we hope to put in competitive showings against two very strong sides ahead of the PL2 season.”
Laing: I expect a physical game in both pre-season friendlies
Following match experience with the first team in Australia and east London over the past week, Levi Laing is excited to continue his pre-season with two potential fixtures this week for U21s.
The young defender played the full 90 minutes in the 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Perth and played in the 2-2 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge as the first team returned closer to home for match action on Saturday.
Laing, who made his first team debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 tie against AEK Larnaca earlier this year, is now set for action under lead coach Robson as the 2023/24 Premier League 2 season approaches.
The young defender said: "It’s good to get some more minutes in the legs and it’s also a chance for the U21s to work on our tactics and philosophy for the season. We're ready to show how we want to play this year and it’s a chance for us to put it into practice on the pitch.
"These matches are an opportunity to show what I can do too. Both teams will be very physical, we know that, so it’s good to see how the boys cope with playing against men and their physical threat.
"They are players that are more physically developed, stronger and probably quicker than us. So, it will be good to see how we deal with that.
"For me, I am always trying to showcase what I can do and in pre-season it’s no different."
How to follow?
While there will be no live coverage of both pre-season fixtures, we will have report, reaction, and highlights from both fixtures on whufc.com shortly after the final whistle.
Tickets
For our fixture against Ebbsfleet on Tuesday 25 July, tickets can be brought from the club's website. Kick-off is set for 7.45pm.
Meanwhile, tickets against Colchester United on Friday 28 July - a match held at Maldon & Titpree FC - can be purchased on the day at the turnstiles. Kick-off is set for 7pm.
