Manning: We were in complete control for 78 minutes

 

Liam Manning was left bitterly disappointed after his West Ham United U23 side controlled their Premier League 2 clash against Chelsea for 78 minutes before conceding three times as the hosts overturned their two-goal lead.

Reece Oxford and Joe Powell had found the back of the net for West Ham either side of half-time and the visitors were coasting until late on at Aldershot Town.

Then sub Luke McCormick struck for the Blues and the hosts’ tails were up as the Hammers failed to hold on and two more goals for Chelsea – scored by fellow sub Daishawn Redan and another from McCormick – followed.

An extremely frustrated Manning summed up his emotions after the full-time whistle.

He said: “It’s so frustrating. We were on top, in complete control, for 78 minutes. Then it’s lapses in concentration, it’s switching off, it’s poor positioning for the goals.

“We didn’t deal with things. That’s what happens when you don’t deal with things, and it’s hard to take.

“We were very good until then. We delivered the plan, what we had gone through, and were in complete control. We controlled the ball and looked comfortable out of possession, and we took a 2-0 lead and deservedly so. 

It’s so frustrating. We were on top, in complete control, for 78 minutes. Then it’s lapses in concentration, it’s switching off, it’s poor positioning for the goals.

Liam Manning

“We set up really well and there were some really good individual performances. We did create some really good chances – Powelly [Joe Powell] missed a really good one, and he played really well tonight, and [Reece] Oxford was a lot better. It could have been more at half time. 

“It was, as I said, a lapse in concentration that got them their first goal and got them to 2-1, and that got their tails up and the momentum shifted to them and we didn’t see it through that tough period.”

Manning went on to explain  what is expected of his players and, as a result, why the final ten minutes were so disappointing against the west Londoners. 

“It’s about proving you’re reliable,” he continued. “When that set-back does come in the shape of a goal back for the opposition, you have to show you’re reliable and that you can put your backs to the wall and ride it out. 

“We didn’t do that tonight and we need to learn from that. The biggest thing we have to work on is being ruthless, then seeing games through; if you’re 1-0, you win 1-0 and don’t give them anything. 

“Southampton Tuesday and Brighton Saturday is next for us. There’s no opportunity to rest and feel sorry for yourself; you have to be ready to pick yourself up and go again against Southampton because it’s another big game.”