During challenging runs of form, it’s more important than ever as a team to remain united.
For West Ham United U23s’ Bernardo Rosa, unity is a quality the young Hammers will be out to display when they travel to Liverpool U23s on Saturday afternoon.
The 20-year-old Brazilian – a versatile and technically gifted player who has more recently tended to play at full-back, but is also capable across the midfield – made his return from long-term injury in the 5-0 defeat at Manchester City U23s on Monday.
On that occasion, the Hammers showed their mettle by bouncing back from conceding in the second minute away at the league leaders, going on to dominate the majority of the first half – before falling away in the second.
Despite the spirited display, West Ham’s U23s are all too aware that, at this stage of the season – with an eight-point gap between themselves and safety in Premier League 2 Division 1, and only eight fixtures left to play – there is little room for error.
With that in mind, Rosa is hoping his team can demonstrate their togetherness in the fight to pick up points, starting with Saturday’s trip to the Liverpool Academy.
“We want to bounce back in this game,” Rosa declared.
“We need to win to have any chance of continuing in this division, and we’ll try to make it happen on Saturday.
“We’re together in this fight. It’s never good to have lost 5-0 earlier in the week, but there were some positives.
“We need to try and focus on them, get better in response to the errors which are costing us, and improve each game.”
Although the second half of Monday’s game was considerably more one-sided, there were certainly narrow margins at play in the first 45 minutes.
In some ways, therefore, the game proved a microcosm of the U23s’ Premier League 2 season so far, with the Hammers possessing more than enough quality and application – but also failing to make the moments that matter count at both ends of the pitch.
... we’ve trained hard for Saturday’s game against Liverpool away. It’s another tough game so we need to be prepared
Bernardo Rosa
There was no shame in losing to runaway league leaders Manchester City on Monday – but Rosa knows that Liverpool, who sit eighth in the table, are a side they will need to be equally well prepared to face away from home.
He explained: “We had some positives on Monday, but at the end of the day it’s never good to have lost 5-0.
“Manchester City are top of the league and there’s a reason why. They’re very good, but we had our chances and should have defended better.
“For 40 minutes in the first half we defended well and were good in possession, but we didn’t take our chances and that cost us in the second half.
“The small details cost us the game, but we’ve trained hard for Saturday’s game against Liverpool away. It’s another tough game so we need to be prepared.”
Rosa was also pleased to have made a 12th appearance of the season earlier this week after being without match action since November.
The Hammers know that they will soon need to begin adding to their two Premier League 2 wins so far this season, and Rosa hopes to play his part in those efforts.
He admitted: “I was out for a long time. It’s good to be back, play some minutes and get my fitness back and get my form back.
“It’s never good to have to just watch your team when you can’t play. You just want to go out there and help. Now, hopefully I can play more and get the team back into winning form.”
West Ham United U23s take on Liverpool U23s on Saturday 13 March in a behind-closed-doors fixture. Kick-off is at 4pm; you can follow all the action with our live blog on whufc.com from 3.30pm.
Please note that Academy fixtures will be played behind closed doors until further notice. Only key personnel will be admitted on site and the match will be played without supporters present, in line with safety guidelines and social distancing measures in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
