Keenan Appiah-Forson has called on the West Ham United U21s squad to learn from their errors in Monday’s draw with Crystal Palace ahead of the trip to Liverpool this weekend.
A quick turnaround in Premier League 2 means Mark Robson’s development side are back in action on Saturday away to the Reds, just five days after a 3-3 draw away to the Eagles.
The Irons had been 3-1 ahead early in the second half at Crystal Palace, with the hosts down to ten men, but lost their grip on the game and allowed the home side to take a share of the spoils.
As the Hammers seek the points needed to guarantee their status in Premier League 2 Division 1, Appiah-Forson knows the side need to regroup quickly and prepare thoroughly.
“It was a disappointing result against Palace,” he told whufc.com. “When they went down to ten men, we had the chance to really take control of the game. We got the third goal but we didn’t manage the match like we should have.
“We played so well in the first half. Palace are a good team but we were confident and decisive in our play. But then we just let the game slip away.
“We’ve got loads of lessons to learn from that game. We need to keep pushing and keep working hard in training. It’s all about putting that hard work in and that’s how we’ll get the results we need.”
West Ham sit eleventh in Division 1, on 25 points, and are four points clear of the relegation zone – currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, the Irons’ final two league opponents of the season.
Before those matches, though, a trip to face fifth-placed Liverpool awaits Appiah-Forson and his teammates, and the midfielder knows a big performance and result could all but secure safety for the side.
“We have to take the one point from Palace, reflect, and move forward into the next match,” he added.
“We’re looking forward to Liverpool. Hopefully we can get the win. Liverpool games are always tough so we’ll need to get after them and be at it, and I’m sure we can come away with the result.”
