Lead coach Steve Potts was full of plaudits after another top performance from West Ham United U21s, this time against Middlesbrough U21s.
Resolute in defence and clinical in attack, Potts was a proud boss as his side moved nine games unbeaten in all competitions with a stunning, five-goal, display on Friday night.
Callum Marshall grabbed his second Premier League 2 hat-trick of the season, in just seven games. Lewis Orford and George Earthy were also on the scoresheet in the 5-0 romp.
Potts, as expected, was delighted with this group of players, who continue to impress in 2023/24.
It was not just good football the all-round performance was good.
They wanted to keep that clean sheet and got five goals too. They created opportunities so fair play to the boys they worked it out against a very good team.
They were above us in the table and we have seen them play some good football this year.
They had a threat going forward and in the first part of the game it was end-to-end, and they had a few chances but when we started to get a grip of the ball and move the ball, we gave them a lot of problems.
Our finishing was very good against Middlesbrough.
That is so important in football that players can put the ball in the net. And we managed to do that tonight. They had a couple of chances and missed, but when we got going we were very good. The goals gave us even more confidence.
I said in the dressing room: 'I know we won 5-0 but I thought Jacob played really well.'
He made some really good saves early on at 1-0, that helped us get a win like this. But I thought every player was good against Middlesbrough.
Callum’s a player who just wants more and more goals.
What hits me is how hard he works for it. He just wants to find and win the ball and he does so much for the team as well as score goals. That can never be underestimated because as he goes up the levels, it is harder to get goals. But even if he doesn’t get goals, he brings a lot and can set the tone for the team.
Junior Robinson and Regan Clayton both did very well at wing-back.
I don’t think there was a bad performer on the night. It is about driving each other to get better and better. [Competition for places] is a good thing for the boys and hopefully, it can spur them on to all improve. It might give them that extra push.
Michael Forbes was unlucky to get an injury in the first game of the season.
You could see what he was all about tonight. Vocally he was unbelievable, and he was bossing that backline. I thought he did that well.
