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Photo by Daniel Kopatsch - WHUFC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images
Photo by Daniel Kopatsch - WHUFC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images

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West Ham fans positive about Ben Johnson in pre-season game

Dom Toner
Dom Toner

Ben Johnson started the first game of West Ham’s pre-season – and some of the club’s supporters were impressed by the performance of the teenager.

The Hammers kicked off their pre-season by beating Austrian side SCR Altach in what turned out to be a great workout.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side ended up on the correct side of a 3-2 scoreline, as several of their first-team players were given some minutes.

Forgotten midfielder Carlos Sanchez scored a header from a corner, while Michail Antonio also rounded the goalkeeper to score a composed finish.

Issa Diop ended up netting in the winner from a Jack Wilshere cross, but minutes in the legs was of course more important than the result.

(Photo by Daniel Kopatsch – WHUFC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)

Johnson got his chance to try grab Pellegrini’s attention and he lasted 67 minutes of action.

The 19-year-old defender is a product of the club’s academy and will be hoping to make it at senior level.

He is a right-back by trade, but filled in at left-back for the Hammers and has shown in the past he’s got the versatility to do so.

Johnson’s only competitive first-team appearance to date when he featured against Manchester City in the Premier League, but apart from that he’s been impressing at youth level on the right.

He hit the woodwork in the pre-season clash with SCR Altach and looked a threat going forward, but has plenty to learn defensively.

A selection of West Ham supporters on social media were pleased after watching Johnson in action on Thursday and are predicting big things from him.

Here are some fans commenting on the youngster’s display: