- West Ham PL2 were beaten 2-0 by Swansea City in Premier League 2
- Terry Westley admitted it was tough to be critical on his players despite defeat
- The Hammers were unfortunate to fall behind after performing well in the first period
Terry Westley admitted he found it hard to be critical of any of his players after they performed admirably despite a 2-0 loss against Swansea City on Friday night.
West Ham United went into the Premier League 2 match at the Liberty Stadium with two wins from two, however the hosts boasted a 100 per cent record themselves and ran out eventual winners.
Owain Jones and Botti Bia Bi got on the scoresheet in the second half but a number of young Hammers impressed, in particular Marcus Browne up-front and 16-year-old Alfie Lewis in midfield.
Though the east Londoners left south Wales empty handed, Westley was left pleased with his side’s performance.
“it was a really good standard of game, and we matched them throughout,” he said. “They had something like 200 Premier League appearances in their side and had some very experienced players. The standard was high.
“There was nothing in the game. We were 60-40 up possession-wise in the first half and had the clearer cut chances in that 45. We said in the dressing room, it’s all about being ruthless in both boxes.
“We lost a goal when our captain Declan [Rice] was off the pitch [receiving treatment] and you have to learn to drop in and cover when that happens. That goal was the key, really.
“It’s tough to be hard on the players tonight because we played very well again. We just were left without that streak of finishing.”
It’s tough to be hard on the players because we played very well again. We just were left without that streak of finishing. You need to be ruthless in both boxes
They returned to the Premier League 2 squad the following day and impressed the gaffer with their displays against Swansea.
“Marcus was very dangerous in attack and Grady was too,” he continued. “They both had good games. Alfie Lewis, at 16-years-of-age, in the middle really moved the ball around well and showed great maturity and vision.
“Declan was immense as our captain and leader at the back. We had a lot of players you look at and think: ‘you played well tonight’.
“For some of these players, it’s knowing whether it’s a loan in the Football League, playing in Slaven’s team or staying at this level. The small margins are what decides that. You can win a game in one second and that’s the learning curve; being ruthless.”
Rice, commanding at the back, was receiving treatment when Swansea scored their opener after he’d previously clattered into the goalpost following a superb goalline clearance, and the boss picked the moment out as key.
“Declan’s clearance sums him up. It typifies him. He’s like that every day in training and that’s why his learning curve is so steep. When he came off, I thought: ‘we’re in trouble’. He always gives it everything he’s got every day.
“Nathan Trott’s penalty save was also a great moment. The lad took one last week and Nathan’s had a look at the clips and it’s paid off. He waited and waited and made a good save and it kept us in it at that point.”
The Hammers’ PL2 side next turn their attention to the EFL Trophy and take on Coventry City’s senior side at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday 30 August.