West Ham loanee Callum Marshall is under the microscope during his time at League One side Huddersfield Town, with manager Michael Duff publicly urging the young striker to raise his performances.
The 20-year-old Northern Ireland striker joined Huddersfield on a season-long loan in August, seeking valuable first-team experience and a chance to prove his potential. However, Duff’s recent comments suggest that Marshall has yet to fully live up to his expectations.
Coach calls on West Ham loanee Callum Marshall
talking with Yorkshire liveDuff stressed the need for greater attacking contributions from his forwards, including Marshall.
While acknowledging the forward’s recent late goal in a win, Duff made it clear the team cannot consistently rely on defenders to score from set pieces to secure wins.
Duff said:
“It may seem like pressure, it’s pressure, we can’t keep relying on the central media to score goals in sets of seven to win us the games. I know Callum scored a goal right at the end, which ends the game, but there are expectations, and at the moment it doesn’t quite land.
“We’ve had a lot of different combinations, but it’s not like they’re not trying. It’s trying to be a little more clinical because we’re not always going to come and create that many chances, no matter who we play.”
Marshall has shown flashes of promise during his time at Huddersfield. In 18 appearances in all competitions, he has scored four goals and provided two assists in less than 1,000 minutes of play. His standout performance came in the EFL Cup against Morecambe where he scored and provided an assist in a commanding 3-0 win.
However, the young forward’s overall consistency remains a concern, with Duff urging him to take advantage of opportunities and make a more meaningful impact on games.
Since joining West Ham’s youth academy in January 2022, Marshall has steadily developed. He was instrumental in the club’s 2023 FA Youth Cup victory, scoring in the final against Arsenal. Earlier this year, he made his senior debut for the Hammers in an FA Cup tie, further showing his potential.
With his contract running until 2027, West Ham face a key decision regarding Marshall’s future. They need to determine if he can be a valuable asset to their long-term plans or if it would be wiser to tap into his potential with a transfer.
For now, the player will focus on responding to Duff’s challenge, proving his consistency and making a stronger case for his inclusion at both Huddersfield and West Ham.
