David Moyes sends message to West Ham United gem Divin Mubama with decision v Olympiacos
With the clock ticking down towards the end of the game against Olympiacos, David Moyes turned to his West Ham bench to rotate his options up front, and while Michail Antonio and Danny Ings sat waiting, Divin Mubama was the man he turned to.
A one-minute cameo appearance at the end of the game may not be an improvement on the minutes Mubama has already been given this season, but it could be a nod from the boss that he is still in his thoughts.
As mentioned, the time given to him at the end of the game was insignificant and didn’t even see Mubama touch the ball, but his introduction was received warmly by the Hammers support who welcomed him to the field with a roar in a clear message to the boss.
Making the call to give Mubama minutes ahead of either of his fellow, more senior, strikers may have been a sign that Moyes is willing to trust the 19-year-old more this season. Whether the importance of the substitute was intended or not, it can be treated as a welcome sign.
With both Antonio and Ings disappointing when called upon this season, frustrations had emerged not just from Mubama but from the West Ham supporters and their constant selection while the youngster was being largely ignored.
The Academy of Football has always been a crucial part of the club’s identity, and Mubama is the latest promising gem to come through the ranks.
Hammers fans will always respond well to an academy player who they hope can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bobby Moore, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and more recently Declan Rice in going on to become a household name at Premier League level, preferably wearing the claret and blue shirt in East London.
