Hines - one year?

Zavon Hines has "committed his future" to the Club according to the official site. The future in this case is one (1!) year!

The other extensions have been long terms and to sign a young player on a short contract is a way of saying "we're giving you another chance son, make good use of it".

Let's hope that he gets the time he needs to fulfil his potential, and is given the chance to prove himself.

One for the future - Josh Payne, update

Josh will complete his three-month loan stay with Cheltenham Town after this weekend's home match against Walsall and has up till now made 10 starts and two sub showings.
He scored on his debut in the 2-2 draw with Stockport County and is said to have played particularly well in the 1-0 home defeat by Leeds United.

Josh is described as an "energetic player who has good close control and an eye for goal". Fellow midfielder Ian Westlake rates Josh highly, comparing his style of play to Gus Poyet, even if he may have to work a bit on his skills to make it all the way.

Westlake, an experienced player, in Cheltenham on loan from Leeds, also says "He can go on to be a really good player, he just needs to know when you use magic and when to give it simple."

Josh joined West Ham from Portsmouth in 2006/7 and captains the under 18's when at home.

He broke into the reserves in september impressing Martin Allen at Cheltenham in a game against Chelsea.

Allen says about Josh "He's a lovely lad but more importantly, I know he's a good player."

Welcome home Josh!

One for the future - James Tomkins

One for the future is a bit misleading for this 19 year old footballer.
He certainly is our future, but the tall (6'3'',190) centre half broke into the West Ham first team already last season.
Admittedly partly because of the less than optimal injury situation last spring, he has so far made six appearances for the club. And bar some rookie mistakes he didn't look out of his depth in those games. I liked the way he was totally unfazed by the situation and his obvious friendship with the ball.
Tomka, as his team mates call him, is a product of our academy having been in the club since the age of 8!
Last season he signed a new long-term contract that keeps him in the club until 2011.
The U19 international starter is now on a 5 week loan deal with Derby, starting Nov 27.
Embracing the opportunity to get hardened in a tough league, he comments the stay with Derby "...I can then come back to West Ham and stake my claim for a place". Well said!

One for the future - Balint Bajner

So Joppe, we lack talented youth players? Well, Balint Bajner, the new recruit from Hungary seems to be doin alright....

After three goals with his national U18 last week, he put on claret and blue this weekend. In the game gainst Southampton U18, he scored another hat-trick.

He may not be able to do the same against Ferdinand-Vilic yet, but once again: Don't count'em youngsters out.

One for the future - Jack Jeffrey - update

Yet another young shortish striker 5'8" (173).
Born in Gravesham August 1989, he joined our academy in 2004.
A regular in the reserve team before going on loan to conference side Cambridge the last part of the 07-08 campaign, starting 4 out of 10 games there.
This preseason Jack played in a behind closed doors against Norwich scoring twice and he grabbed one earlier in the pre season against Tilbury.
Now he is on his way to the O's on a one month loan to get some more first team experience.
It isn't easy at the moment for young strikers to break through into the first team with Bellamy, Ashton, Cole, Sears and now David Di Michele in the club, not to forget Zavon Hines who will also try to catch the eye of the new coach and manager.
As for his playing style Jack is a hard working player that reminds people of a young Tony Cottee! Now that doesn't sound bad for the future does it?

Update:
Mid September he took off to the O's on a one month loan to get some first team experience but suffered a knee injury in training and only played one game, as a sub, before returning home.
Now the loan deal with Leyton O's is back on after returning to fitness.
Better luck this time Jack!
.

One for the future - Jordan Spence

Now here is something a bit special. If half of the reports about this prodigy is true he will be a force to be reckoned with in the very near future!

A 6 foot+ (189) full back Jordan “Spencer” Spence born 1990-05-24 signed his first Academy contract on the pitch in front of the Upton Park crowd in the spring of 2006 and turned full time pro July last year. Despite his young age he’s got quite a CV.

After captaining the England U16 team he lead the national U17 squad in the European finals as well as the World Cup quarter-finals in 2007. He scored the game winning goal when his side famously defeated Brazil (can you imagine that feeling?) - the first England team to do so in a World Cup game.

Following the success in the U17 he graduated to the England U19 squad - at the age of 17!
After this proof of his capabilities maybe the fact that Academy Director Tony Carr regard him as “certainly one for the future” doesn’t surprise anybody.

A reserve team regular last season, Jordan was taken on the USA tour with the first team this summer, which was a clear statement of the clubs ambitions with him.

Having played along James Tomkins in the central defence of the reserves for some time I have a strong feeling that this duo could be the fundament of a, finally, solid West Ham defence for years to come.

Jordan seem very mature and incredibly verbal for a young footballer. Just take a look at the video where he talks about the defeat against Spain in the UEFA U17 Championship Finals! CLICK HERE He's only 17 in this clip!

His first full squad appearance was away against Man C this season. Allthough he never got to play in the game, this squad place combined with the fact that he has not been sent off to a lower league club yet indicate that for Jordan Spence and West Ham the future is not far away.

On Nov 25 a 8 match loan deal with Leyton Orient was presented. Jordan is on his way to the O's to get some league action and experience!