Terry Westley praised the way his U23 side turned their performance around to beat Tottenham Hotspur on Monday having come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
The Academy Director was left mightily disappointed after Spurs put themselves in a comfortable position during the first half, outplaying the Hammers in every department.
But after some stern words at the break – which the boss declined to repeat – the visitors came out firing and scored three quick goals to turn the game on its head.
Dan Kemp halved the deficit just four minutes into the second period before Nathan Holland equalised with a screamer from long range.
Centre-back Josh Pask then stunned Tottenham, volleying home after Tunji Akinola’s knock-down to make it 3-2 and the Hammers held on to win their first Premier League 2 Division 1 three point-haul.
After the full-time whistle, Westley said: “We’re delighted with the second half performance and the character of the team, but if you’re talking about the first half performance, we were miles off.
“If you’re talking about Premier League players, we wouldn’t have been able to get back into the game. You’re not getting back in that game in a top flight match. Whether it was because it was a training ground game, we didn’t start aggressive enough and we didn’t run hard enough.
You wouldn’t want to repeat what I said at half time! It certainly wasn’t about tactics or formations. It was about it being a local derby – this game should mean something.
Terry Westley
“You can talk about tactics, technical ability…sometimes it’s just about running hard enough and if your man runs you better run with him. We didn’t do that first half by any stretch.
“Second half, we turned it around. You wouldn’t want to repeat what I said at half time! It certainly wasn’t about tactics or formations. It was about it being a local derby – this game should mean something. To be fair to us, we showed it afterwards.
“To a man, we got after them and made it more difficult, scoring an early goal and the momentum carried us through right to the very end.”
The youngsters have begun their 2017/18 campaign in fine form, and remain unbeaten with two wins from three matches.
And despite the disappointing opening 45 on Monday, a couple of names did stand out throughout the game in Westley’s eyes.
“Vashon Neufville was terrific – probably the pick – and then the whole team were all up to an eight out of ten from a three first period,” he continued. “It was that big a change.
“I’m pleased for Josh Pask – he gave away a penalty first half which was dubious to say the least, so for him to get the winner was nice.
“Second half, Nathan Holland was outstanding. He carried the ball, went past people, he scored a wonderful goal – that’s a wonderful goal at every level. First half, it was like his twin brother who can’t play – second half he was brilliant.
“If you can repeat that second 45 performance against Swansea [on Sunday], we have a good chance.”