Here’s a quiz question; When did Oliver Scarles make his West Ham first-team debut? If he continues his current trajectory, this could become a popular trivia question in years to come. The answer? FCSB in the UEFA Conference League, 3 November 2022.
I ask this question because we’ve heard a lot more about him since Graham Potter’s arrival at West Ham – he’s got a lot more game time I think any of us expected. If you weren’t fully focussed on the European match in 2022, you might have heard his name for the first time in 2023, as he was part of the FA Youth Cup winning squad. Or maybe last year, when he signed a long-term contract to stay with us until 2028 at least, becoming the latest member of that squad to put pen to paper.
Stepping Up Under Graham Potter
Scarles made his Premier League debut in December against Bournemouth under Julen Lopetegui, but his opportunities have increased significantly since the managerial change. The 19-year-old – let that sink in – has already put in several assured performances, including a Man of the Match display in the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa. Whether that was fully deserved or whether there was a sentimental nod in that I don’t know, but it’s good enough for me.
To be clear, I think it’s brilliant that players like Scarles are getting some game time and long may it continue. Let’s be honest, it’s been a disappointing season and you don’t need me to point that out, but as we stand in February it is very unlikely that we’ll be relegated, and just as unlikely that we’ll make any European spots. Why not then use the second part of this season to build, and understand the capabilities of players like Scarles and Lewis Orford, who made his first team debut under Potter in January?
A New Pathway for Youth Talent
Of course, injuries have plagued us this season, and you could argue Potter’s hand has been forced in terms of selection. But even so, it’s refreshing to see young talent stepping up and taking their chances. Surely every West Ham fan feels pride in seeing our own breakthrough, and I was pleased that in his first press conference, Potter made it clear that he wanted to see what was in the Academy. To be fair on the manager, he’s done that, and not for the first time: Evan Ferguson, our striker signing in this transfer window, was also given his debut by Potter at Brighton.
The Mark Noble Influence
After a period where the famous West Ham academy went a bit quiet, it does seem as if we’re finally starting to see some quality coming through. Part of the credit for this must surely go to Mark Noble, and his influence on the academy is impossible to ignore. Scarles himself highlighted this in a recent interview: ‘Nobes has been brilliant. I’ve always been able to text him when I needed some guidance. ‘He’s always been around for all of the boys to talk to. He’s had a massive impact on my career. He’s always believed in me and I can’t give him enough credit for that.’
In turn, Mark Noble clearly has high hopes for Scarles: ‘I remember as a player going to Chadwell Heath and watching the younger age groups train, and you could tell Ollie had what it took to play in the first team. ‘He’s already done that in Europe, under David Moyes, and he’s been in and around the first team ever since. It’s so important that we as a Club do the right thing and ensure the best pathways for our players and Ollie is definitely one of them.’
Patience and the Next Generation
When it comes to matters West Ham, there is no-one that I trust more than Mark Noble. When a fellow professional footballer can see something, you go with that. What’s also great is the role that Noble has had in keeping Scarles’ feet on the ground. ‘I’ve sat with him many times and talked about the high hopes we have for him. It’s over to him now. ‘We’ve shown that belief with this contract extension and now it’s up to him to keep working hard. He’s a clever footballer. It’s something that stands out about him and enables him to play in various positions on the pitch. ‘He’s been fantastic for our U21s. He’s got high aspirations himself, which is exactly what we want from our young players. We have high hopes for him too. He’s still only young, so patience is key. I hope this is the one of many contracts we do for him.’
I’m really looking forward to seeing not only Ollie develop over the coming season, but some of the other youth flourish too. Maybe not everyone will make the grade, but watch for the likes of Kaelan Casey, on the bench against Fulham; George Earthy, scorer against Luton last season, currently on loan at Bristol City; Patrick Kelly, loaned to Doncaster Rovers in League Two; Callum Marshall, playing well at Huddersfield; Mason Terry, a highly-rated number one goalkeeper at Hornchurch; and Gideon Kodua, challenging for promotion with Wycombe. All these players will have opportunities to make their mark in the future.
In the meantime, Ollie Scarles is making the headlines – but the real story might just be the revival of our world-famous academy. If this resurgence continues, West Ham’s future looks brighter than ever.
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