Terry Westley said his side will learn the lessons from a difficult start to the season
Academy manager Terry Westley vowed that his side will learn the lessons from a difficult start to the season.
Despite strong performances, the Development Squad are yet to win in six matches, however Westley insisted that his side are close to getting the points their performances merit.
“We’ve now played six games, and in those games we’ve led seven times yet not held on to win.
“Apart from the Arsenal game, we could have, and maybe should have won all five games. At Stoke, it was exactly the same; we played so well first half. We created a lot of opportunities, scored a terrific goal but should have scored more really.
“We have to accept that the teams we are playing won’t lie down or give up. We need to be more solid and resolute as a team and a particularly at the back, while being more clinical in front of goal.”
Once again, the young Hammers took the lead against the Potters through Elliot Lee’s second goal of the season.
However, the hosts refused to be cowed and were given a lifeline after being awarded a penalty. Dominic Telford dusted himself down to equalise before Yusuf Oban popped up to score with eight minutes remaining.
Westley continued: “The team is going from a 9/10 performance to a 5/10 in periods of the game. We’re making some poor decisions which are letting teams back into games.
“We need to be more ruthless when we start games well and make sure we finish games strongly. We have to be more resolute and we might just have to win a game 1-0 to get that monkey off our backs.”
A positive for Westley and the Academy of Football in general, was the fact that several U18s played, and impressed, against the Potters.
One of which included Reece Oxford, who made his first appearance for the Dev Squad this season: “It was good to see Reece Oxford play in the U21, he got 75 minutes, as captain and he looked very good.
“Our U18s have won two excellent matches recently, two deserved wins against Chelsea and Southampton. They’ve got a game this weekend, at Little Heath against Reading, which is another tough test.”
The Dev Squad now have just less than three weeks until their next Barclays U21 Premier League match – a home fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Rush Green on Monday 19 November.
Westley stated his belief that the break will give his side plenty of time to reflect as well as iron out any mistakes ahead of the game with Wolves.
“We have to remain together, keep focused and work hard. I can’t criticize the players in some areas of how we’ve played because in parts, we’ve played some excellent football.
“I half wish we had a game to get a win and start showing what we’re capable of. We now look forward to a bit of a break in games, where we can really focus on ourselves.”
Despite strong performances, the Development Squad are yet to win in six matches, however Westley insisted that his side are close to getting the points their performances merit.
“We’ve now played six games, and in those games we’ve led seven times yet not held on to win.
“Apart from the Arsenal game, we could have, and maybe should have won all five games. At Stoke, it was exactly the same; we played so well first half. We created a lot of opportunities, scored a terrific goal but should have scored more really.
“We have to accept that the teams we are playing won’t lie down or give up. We need to be more solid and resolute as a team and a particularly at the back, while being more clinical in front of goal.”
Once again, the young Hammers took the lead against the Potters through Elliot Lee’s second goal of the season.
However, the hosts refused to be cowed and were given a lifeline after being awarded a penalty. Dominic Telford dusted himself down to equalise before Yusuf Oban popped up to score with eight minutes remaining.
Westley continued: “The team is going from a 9/10 performance to a 5/10 in periods of the game. We’re making some poor decisions which are letting teams back into games.
“We need to be more ruthless when we start games well and make sure we finish games strongly. We have to be more resolute and we might just have to win a game 1-0 to get that monkey off our backs.”
A positive for Westley and the Academy of Football in general, was the fact that several U18s played, and impressed, against the Potters.
One of which included Reece Oxford, who made his first appearance for the Dev Squad this season: “It was good to see Reece Oxford play in the U21, he got 75 minutes, as captain and he looked very good.
“Our U18s have won two excellent matches recently, two deserved wins against Chelsea and Southampton. They’ve got a game this weekend, at Little Heath against Reading, which is another tough test.”
The Dev Squad now have just less than three weeks until their next Barclays U21 Premier League match – a home fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Rush Green on Monday 19 November.
Westley stated his belief that the break will give his side plenty of time to reflect as well as iron out any mistakes ahead of the game with Wolves.
“We have to remain together, keep focused and work hard. I can’t criticize the players in some areas of how we’ve played because in parts, we’ve played some excellent football.
“I half wish we had a game to get a win and start showing what we’re capable of. We now look forward to a bit of a break in games, where we can really focus on ourselves.”