'Proud' Potts looking forward to England action: defender and West Ham teammate Hall called up to U20 World Cup squad

After a lack of West Ham players in Stuart Pearce’s England U21 squad may have come as a disappointment, Dan Potts and Rob Hall have both been named in Peter Taylor’s provision U20 squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup this summer.

 

Taylor has named the two Hammers in the 35 man squad, but this will be cut down to just 21 on June 7th, so the young pair will have to impress in the training camp.

For Potts, this was an added bonus after initially being included in the U19 team for the UEFA European U19 Championship Elite Qualifying Round, but he will now be trying to impress at the next level.

The 19 year old defender told whufc.com: "I'm pleased to have been called-up, definitely... I'm very proud. It's a great experience. International football is a different kind of football. There is a lot to take in and you are representing your country at the end of the day.

"As much as it being a proud honour, you want to do your best for your country and the main objective is to do well.

"At the end of the day, as a young footballer you want to be at the top and it doesn't get much better than representing your country, that's for sure."

Potts also reflected on his season with the West Ham U21s and the first team, and he is pleased with his progress this season.

He said: "Looking back, I've got some good memories. I've had some good results and some bad results but it's all experience and a learning curve, so I take nothing but positives from them."

He also described his personal highlight from the season, singling out the 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the FA Cup.

On that match, he said: "It was definitely up there with my best individual performances. You've got to take into account I was playing against the future champions of England. It was a great experience and now I just want to push on into next year."

Meanwhile, Rob Hall’s England  experience at U17 level will hold him in good stead for this new challenge. After an impressive season on loan with Bolton and Birmingham, he will be hoping for a bigger opportunity at international level.

The U20 World Cup will be held in Turkey from June 21st and England will face Iraq, Chile and Egypt in Group E.

By Lucy Woolford, Youth and Development Squad reporter

@lucy_whufc

I owe it all to Big Sam, says Irons star O'Brien

West Ham defender Joey O'Brien has reflected upon a productive season at the Boleyn Ground and heaped praise upon manager Sam Allardyce, who recently signed a new contract at the East London club.

"I missed out four years with injury, those are the harsh facts," the Republic of Ireland international told the Newham Recorder.

"Two seasons ago when I got released from Bolton, nobody wanted me, there wasn't a manager in the Football League that wanted me. Sam has been great with me since I was a kid, so if I hadn't had a relationship with Sam Allardyce, I wouldn't be where I am now- I owe him a lot."

The utility man, who has filled in all across the back four for the Hammers this season, has made 62 appearances in all competitions for West Ham since signing on a free transfer the summer before last after the Trotters let him go- having made just 50 in seven years at the Reebok Stadium.

"When I was out for all that time, I didn't want to just come back and play one game," O'Brien stated.

"I wanted to come back and play every game in the Premier League. I did it in the past when I was a kid so I knew I could do it again. It surprises other people, not me, so maybe they didn't think I was as good as what I am."

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Skipper Nolan welcomes 'fantastic' Allardyce contract news and looks forward to new signings

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has lauded yesterday's news that manager Sam Allardyce has signed a new contract as great news for the club and has declared that there isn't a better man for the Boleyn Ground hotseat.

"It's fantastic news for him and his family and it's fantastic news for all us lads," Nolan told whufc.com.

"If you want the club to move forward, I don't think there is a better man to have at the helm. I've worked under him at Bolton and know what he's about- not just on the pitch but behind the scenes. He's deserved it [the new contract] and I just hope we can get some new faces in and kick on ahead of next season."

Allardyce himself has declared his happiness at signing the new deal, which will keep him in his job at Upton Park until 2016, but has warned that big money summer signings are unlikely.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling

Hall over: young striker returns from Trotters loan

West Ham striker Rob Hall has returned to the Boleyn Ground after completing a somewhat frustrating loan spell at Championship outfit Bolton Wanderers.

The loan was Hall's second of the season, after an excellent few weeks at Bolton's Championship rivals Birmingham City, where he provided seven assists and became a real fan's favourite.

However, the 19 year old's time at the Reebok Stadium proved to be less productive, as he only made one appearance, in Bolton's 2-2 final day draw with local rivals Blackpool last Saturday- a result which saw the Lancashire side narrowly miss out on making the Championship play-offs.

Hall has been back in action immediately after arriving in London, as he started this afternoon's Development Squad against West Bromwich Albion U21s. Sadly, the youngster was unable to help his Hammers teammates end the U21 season on a high, having missed out on the U21 Premier League play offs, as Albion ran out 1-0 winners.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling