West Ham fringe player in ‘not ideal’ situation after Under-23s drama
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Andriy Yarmolenko has found game time for West Ham very difficult to get this season and he hasn’t helped his case in the Under-23s either.
The Ukrainian last featured for David Moyes’ side in the extra-time FA Cup victory away at Kidderminster and has been an unused substitute for the two games since.
The 32-year-old played for the Under-23 side last Thursday (10 February) and scored the winning goal in a narrow 1-0 win against Swansea City.
That wasn’t why Yarmolenko grabbed the headlines though as he was sent off in the 50th minute for a “tussle” with a Swansea player.
Former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie is unsure why he was even playing for the youth side and he can clearly see the situation isn’t what anyone wanted.
“Well, it’s not ideal, is it? We were talking last week about his performance in the cup and people weren’t happy,” McAvennie exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“So he’s gone down to the Under 23s. Has he gone down there for fitness? Or has he gone down there for punishment?
“I think he’s probably gone down there to stay fit because I doubt he will get minutes in the Premier League. It sounds like the red wasn’t for lashing out or anything so maybe it was just a bad decision or whatever.
“Obviously, it won’t help him out if he wants to start playing but being sent off for the Under 23s is clearly not good.”
Yarmolenko has just one goal to his name in all competitions for the Irons this season, coming in the Europa League, and has seen the right-wing position owned by Jarrod Bowen all campaign.
In other West Ham news, Michail Antonio has shared what he will do if he scores against Newcastle on Saturday.