West Ham United U23s return to Premier League 2 action on Friday with a huge match at London Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mark Robson's side will be eager to get back to winning ways following a draw away to Chelsea in their last game, but the Seagulls are set to prove a tough test for the young Irons.
Read on for everything you need to know about this Friday's match...
Can I attend the game?
You absolutely can! In fact, Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Friday’s game for FREE!
Get your U23s tickets now!
Secure your seats now online, by email, or by calling 0333 030 1966 (9am-5pm Monday-Friday). Fans can also purchase tickets on the day at London Stadium, priced at £5 for Adults and just £3 for O65s and U16s.
Supporters unable to attend the match in person can watch the game live on our Official West Ham United YouTube channel. Former Hammers goalkeeper and current U18s goalkeeping consultant Jimmy Walker will be on co-commentary, live from London Stadium.
Regular updates from the match will also be available through our live blog on whufc.com while goal updates will be provided on our Twitter feed @WestHam.
Secure your seats for Friday's U23s game at London Stadium here.
The story so far
Recent results have not gone the way of West Ham United U23s.
A draw in last Friday’s London derby, away to Chelsea, meant the development squad saw an end to a three-match losing streak in Premier League 2 football, but left Robson’s side without a victory in their last five league outings.
Having been top of the division at the start of 2022, the Irons now sit third in the table, with the chance to claim the Premier League 2 Division 1 title out of their own hands even with two games in hand on leaders Manchester City.
The Hammers have 36 points from 20 games played, while second-placed Arsenal are on 37 points with two more matches fulfilled. Manchester City have also played 22, but have 46 points, putting them in the firm favourites position to go on and win the league.
Circumstances beyond West Ham’s control have also played a factor. The match with Chelsea was the U23s’ first in three weeks as late postponements to other fixtures left the team without competitive matches to consider in the meantime.
The side now have six league matches to finish the season strongly and put as much pressure as possible on City.
The opposition
Brighton & Hove Albion brought their own losing streak to an end in their last outing, stopping a four-game run without any points by beating Everton 4-2.
The Seagulls, like the Irons, started the campaign brightly, but just one point collected in six games between December and February mean the south coast team currently sit ninth in Premier League 2 Division 1.
Not that there is not a threat posed by Friday’s opponents. Midfielder Jack Spong scored two of his team’s goals in the 4-2 win against the Toffees. The 20-year-old has featured in 22 matches for the Brighton U23s this season and continues to be a threat from deep for the side.
A lot of the team’s goals came from Lorent Tolaj earlier this campaign. The 20-year-old scored eight goals in the first half of the season before he departed on loan to EFL League One Cambridge United.
Evan Ferguson, at just 17-years-old, has also been a crucial source of goals for the Brighton U23s. The young striker has scored nine goals in 17 outings this campaign, earning the Republic of Ireland U21s attacker his Premier League debut last month, away to Burnley.
The development side are led by former Brighton captain Andrew Crofts, who returned to the club in a coaching capacity in 2019 before being appointed the head coach in June 2021.
Last time out
It was in mid-August when the U23s travelled to play their Brighton counterparts in just our second Premier League 2 game of the 2021/22 campaign.
Having outclassed Arsenal in a 6-1 mauling at London Stadium just four days prior, the Hammers were hoping for another positive outing and took the lead through a thumping volley by Mipo Odubeko on 16 minutes.
Armstrong Okoflex and Bernardo Rosa both went close to doubling our advantage before the Seagulls levelled on the hour mark as Ed Turns scrambled home from a corner.
Evan Ferguson gave the home side the lead from the penalty spot seven minutes later before Marc Leonard made it 3-1 from close range just a few moments after.
Thierry Nevers reduced the deficit with a phenomenal strike from 25 yards on 81 minutes, giving the Irons hope of a comeback, but Brighton secured the win and the three points through Leonard’s second two minutes later.
What they’re saying
Mark Robson, West Ham U23s lead coach: "It will be great for them to get the opportunity to play on the London Stadium pitch.
“I’m looking forward to it too because I’ve not been involved in a game there. It will be my first one. It’s always great to play at the main stadium and it will be great for these boys.
“Hopefully we can prepare ourselves well for that one, and put on a better performance.”
Remind me again, how can I follow the game?
Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Friday’s game for FREE!
Get your U23s tickets now!
Secure your seats now online, by email, or by calling 0333 030 1966 (9am-5pm Monday-Friday). Fans can also purchase tickets on the day at London Stadium, priced at £5 for Adults and just £3 for O65s and U16s.
Supporters unable to attend the match in person can watch the game live on our Official West Ham United YouTube channel. Former Hammers goalkeeper and current U18s goalkeeping consultant Jimmy Walker will be on co-commentary, live from London Stadium.
Regular updates from the match will also be available through our live blog on whufc.com while goal updates will be provided on our Twitter feed @WestHam.
Secure your seats for Friday's U23s game at London Stadium here.
