West Ham United U23s are set to close out their Premier League 2 Division 1 campaign on Monday with a huge game at London Stadium against Derby County.
Mark Robson's side will be eager to end the season on a high after a thrilling 4-3 victory away to Everton last week.
Kick off is set for 7pm BST.
Read on for everything you need to know about the final match of the 2021/22 season for our development team...
Can I attend the game?
You absolutely can! In fact, Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Monday's Premier League 2 game for FREE!
Secure your seats now online, by email, or by calling 0333 030 1966 (9am-5pm Monday-Friday). Fans can also purchase tickets on the day at London Stadium, priced at £5 for Adults and just £3 for Over-65s and Under-16s.
Due to Premier League regulations, Monday's match will not be live streamed, meaning the only way to see all the action live is by being at London Stadium in person!
Regular updates from the match will also be available through our live blog on whufc.com while goal updates will be provided on our Twitter feed @WestHam.
Secure your seats for Monday's U23s game at London Stadium here.
The story so far
After a long campaign, West Ham United’s 2021/22 season comes to an end on Monday.
It’s been a year of ups and downs, ebbs and flows for the development side. Long in contention for the Premier League 2 Division 1 title, the Irons will certainly be finishing the season in second-placed, with the trophy heading north to Manchester City.
A dip in form in mid-April took the Hammers out of contention, with defeats away to Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool, but the young team found their attacking spark and best form again last week with a big 4-3 victory on the road away to Everton.
West Ham have 45 points from 25 games played, while City have claimed 54 this season, ending their year with a 7-0 win at home to Everton on Friday.
A run of four consecutive draws in April means Arsenal’s final match of the season, a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds on Friday, leaves them with 41 points in third place.
Mark Robson and his side will be keen to end the season on the best possible note.
The opposition
Derby County’s relegation to Premier League 2 Division 2 has been confirmed.
The Rams sit bottom of the Division 1 table with 15 points, having collected four victories in 24 matches this season. It should be noted, however, that one of those came in the form of a 3-1 won over West Ham back in September.
It has been a hard campaign for Derby, though. Many young talent have been called into the first team throughout the year as the senior side contended with a depleted squad.
Jack Stretton is one such example. The forward has scored eight times in just ten outings for the U23s this season, seeing him called up to Wayne Rooney’s first-team, where has scored once in 12 appearances.
Former Hammer Louie Watson is in a similar position, with the midfielder making five outings in the Derby senior side this campaign.
Luke Plunge has continued to be a source of goals for their development team, with five finishes and three assists in ten showings, while central midfielder Osazee Aghaitse has also netted five times.
In lead coach Pat Lyons, Derby County U23s are managed by man who was himself in the youth system at the club and is a lifelong fan of the Rams.
Building a coaching resume that contains stints with Burton Albion and Stoke City, Lyons retuned to Derby in 2009 and has worked his way through the Academy to U23s coach.
Last time out
It was early in the season when our U23s travelled to the Loughborough University Stadium to play their Derby County counterparts in the reserve fixture.
The Irons set up with a three-man back-line that day as Jamal Baptiste, Aji Alese and Levi Laing took on defensive responsibilities.
After a stalemate in the first half, the home side took the advantage on 66 minutes when Max Bardell glanced in a free-kick, before doubling their lead through Jack Stretton’s finish.
Sonny Perkins gave the Irons hope of a late come-back on 83 minutes with a strong strike, but Stetton added his second – and Derby’s third – two minutes before the final whistle to inflict defeat on the Irons.
What they’re saying
Krisztián Hegyi: “Derby will be tough. We had a tough game at their place earlier this season and we’re sure they will be difficult again at London Stadium.
“For us, playing at our home stadium, it’s a must-win game.”
Remind me again, how can I follow the game?
Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members can attend Monday's game for FREE!
Get your U23s tickets now!
Secure your seats now online, by email, or by calling 0333 030 1966 (9am-5pm Monday-Friday). Fans can also purchase tickets on the day at London Stadium, priced at £5 for Adults and just £3 for Over-65s and Under-16s.
Due to Premier League regulations, Monday's match will not be live streamed, meaning the only way to see all the action live is by being at London Stadium in person!
Regular updates from the match will also be available through our live blog on whufc.com while goal updates will be provided on our Twitter feed @WestHam.
Secure your seats for Monday's U23s game at London Stadium here.
