Hammers Starlet Impresses at Bit O' Red

The increasing pressure to capture every possible point in the Premiership brings with it the considerable problem that younger players struggle to get any game time at top clubs. As a consequence, loan periods at lesser clubs provide the most effective outlet for developing stars to strut their stuff.

Unfortunately, for many youngsters the period away from the mother ship presents the beginning of the end of their shot at the big time. Often they find themselves just transporting the problem of game time to a lower league as the likes of Charlton and Peterborough also find themselves unable to take risks with less experienced pros in their hunt for league points.

Happily, Jaanai Gordon's loan period at League of Ireland outfit Sligo Rovers has started well, with the youngster scoring the only goal in a preseason friendly against big local rivals Derry City. Playing alongside ex-Hammer Kieran Sadlier, his pace and growing physical strength proved a real challenge for the Candystripes defence. Gordon rattled the bar in the first ha;lf before breaking free to score the winner on the hour mark. Gordon looks to be in good hands with Sligo manager Dave Robertson who previously worked with Jaanai as he progressed through Peterborough's youth ranks.

Meanwhile, ex-Hammer and previous Sligo loanee Sean Maguire is now at Cork City and thus will be hoping to meet up with Gordon when the clubs play eachother on Saturday 2nd April coming.