One senior West Ham United player was included in the starting lineup for our BSMT clash with Colchester tonight.
The West Ham United under-21s won the game against the League Two outfit comfortably, running out as 4-0 winners in the end.
The Hammers youngsters progressed through our group with ease, after winning all three games against Bristol Rovers, Newport and Cheltenham respectively.
David Moyes must be absolutely delighted with the sheer volume of talented players currently coming through the ranks at the London Stadium.
The four goals tonight came from Dan Chesters, George Earthy, Lewis Orford and Divin Mubama, but it was a senior player’s inclusion in the side that really raised some eyebrows.
Ben Johnson, 23, started as part of a three man defence alongside Brazilian youngster Luizao and under-21s captain Kaelan Casey.
The fact that Johnson started tonight sums up his fall from grace in a nutshell…
Ben Johnson receives ultimate insult after playing for West Ham in BSMT
The Hammers youngster eased through to the next round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy after a 4-0 win against Colchester tonight.
And Johnson was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI. With a game to come against Tottenham in just two day’s time, the fact that he was part of the under-21 side tonight would have been a real slap in the face for him.
The 23-year-old will be out of contract at the London Stadium in the summer of 2024, and he recently rejected a new deal.
Johnson burst onto the scene at West Ham four-and-a-half years ago, and he looked like a hugely promising prospect for us.
However, he has regressed badly over the past couple of years. Johnson’s concentration levels, decision making and positional awareness all leave a lot to be desired.
It’s clear to see for most Hammers fans now that the 23-year-old is not good enough to make it at the very highest level.
And the fact that he played for the West Ham under-21s in the BSMT tonight tells us all we need to know about his future at the club.
