‘Thought about it’: Moyes says he nearly took ‘exceptional’ West Ham player off last night as he was so tired

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West Ham United manager David Moyes handed teenager Ollie Scarles his debut last night as they won 3-0 against FCSB.

Speaking to the club website after the game, Moyes praised the 16-year-old’s display but said he did start to run out of steam on 70 minutes.

That is understandable for a young player on such a big night but the early signs are promising and now it is up to him to build on it.

Moyes on Scarles

Moyes said: “I thought both Ollie and Divin (Mubama) played very well. I thought Ollie did exceptional in his first start. He made chances and had a few opportunities.

“He created a great chance for Divin in the first half and then put one of the crosses in for one of the goals as well, so I’m pleased for him. He’s only 16 so he’s got a lot to do yet, but that’s a good start for him.

“I’ve given a lot of 16-year-olds their debuts in my career but I want them to keep stepping up. If they think this is as far as it goes – this is only the beginning. They have to start somewhere though.

“For example, Ollie didn’t let us down at all in his role. He physically ran out of gas with about 20 minutes to go and we could have taken him off and we thought about it. But I think, for a 16-year-old, he did great.”

Last night was huge for the teenager, getting his foot in the door of the West Ham first team and now he needs to keep pushing.

It is hard to break into a squad of established professionals and he has to make sure as Moyes says, this is only the beginning for him.

Any West Ham youth prospect will be looking at Declan Rice as an inspiration, who has come through the ranks to captain the club.