The development side are currently three from three in the group stages of this year’s PL Cup, as James Collins’ men have tasted victory against all of the sides in Group F so far, thanks to a 2-0 win away at Swansea City last time out.
Those three points followed a thrilling 3-2 win over Exeter City and a tight single goal triumph against this afternoon’s Premier League 2 Division 1 opposition, in which Harry Birtwistle struck after 12 minutes at Aggborough to get their campaign off to a positive start.
The under-23s will be looking to maintain their place at the top of the Group F table when they travel to the Rush Green Training Ground but are getting pushed all the way by the young Irons side.
Following their defeat to Wolves in the opening game of the competition, West Ham have been matching the results of the old gold, overcoming Exeter at home by the same 3-2 scoreline, as well as a two-goal win over the Swans, albeit in a 4-2 victory.
Wolves will maintain top spot in the group, with two matches left to play, if they are to avoid defeat, but with the top two sides qualifying for the knockout stages – and thanks to Swansea and Exeter drawing 1-1 earlier in the season – a win for Collins’ side on Monday afternoon will guarantee a place in the last 16.
Supporters can watch all the action from West Ham’s training ground live this afternoon, as the match is streamed online via wolves.co.uk, the Wolves App and the Wolves YouTube channel.
The live Wolves TV match stream, beginning at 1.55pm, can be found here, or click here to watch on YouTube, while supporters can also catch download the Wolves App now on iOS here and on Android here.
WHEN
Monday, 2pm
WHERE
Rush Green Training Ground, Romford
LAST THREE
Wolves
2-4 vs Fulham (A)
0-5 vs Norwich City (H)
2-0 vs Swansea City (A) PLC
West Ham
4-2 vs Crystal Palace (A)
4-2 vs Swansea City (A) PLC
1-0 vs Blackburn Rovers (H)
WHAT THE BOSS THINKS
After claiming victory at Swansea last time out in the Premier League Cup, head coach James Collins was delighted that his side were able extend their unbeaten record in the competition, especially after bringing members of the under-18 squad into his line-up.
“I thought we thoroughly deserved it,” Collins said. ““We knew they play their system and they played it the way they did, but it’s just about whether we could hold them off, which I thought we did before we settled, and then we grew into the game, got the goal we deserved, and from there on, I wasn’t overly concerned.
“We’re trying to introduce the younger players all the time. Justin [Hubner] had a stop-start beginning to the season, which is probably why he hasn’t come in a little bit earlier. He had a really good game for the under-18s last week, so we felt he was ready now, and he came in and did fine. He looked like he’d been playing there all season.
“Joe [O’Shaughnessy] started, Tinks [Tyler Roberts] came on at the end, so it’s good. We need to introduce the younger players all the time, that’s the point of it. Refresh the team with younger players and challenge them and see if they can play at this level, to move onto the next level.”
NEXT FIVE
13/12 West Ham United (A) PLC
20/12 Newcastle United (H)
05/01 Swansea City (H) PLC
09/01 Southampton (A)
17/01 Burnley (H)
*indicates first-team opposition
