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West Ham United academy star Joshua Ajala sends a message as the Hammers beat Southampton 4-1. The Hammers named a surprising starting lineup with six academy prospects in the starting lineup. They all impressed, but 19-year-old Joshua Ajala was the one that stood out the most. Not only did he score a brace with two lovely goals, he was a constant threat down that left side for the hour he was on the pitch. In fact, we were all gutted when he got substituted, because with how open the game had got he was more than on for a hattrick. With Jarrod Bowen and Manor Solomon the only real senior wingers at the club, we’ve been heavily linked with moves for another wide man. A deal for Reiss Nelson from Arsenal is said to be close, but the Hammers have been having doubts over his injury record. Could this Josh Ajala performance make Nuno and Koppen think maybe we don’t need a winger? I don’t think so, but maybe the owners might think like that. I think Ajala’s role should be fourth choice winger this season. Bowen and Solomon are going to be pretty much nailed on starters as long as their fit, so I would like to bring one in of proven high quality that can play both sides, someone of a similar profile of Nelson but ideally a bit faster. However, I wouldn’t be entirely against Nelson for the price, a reported £3 million transfer fee. Josh Ajala can do that, he is more than capable of playing both sides. He can even play as a striker which is actually his natural position, and as a number ten, In fact, he didn’t play on the left in his previous tastes of senior football. In the National League cup last year he played twice as an attacking midfielder, once as a right winger, and once as a centre-forwards scoring three times. A brace against Tamworth and another against Aldershot Town. Ajala looked really promising last night, but I’m not sure he’s ready to be that third choice winger just yet. Maybe this will make us more likely to sign Nelson because if he does suffer with injuries, Ajala will be ready to take advantage.