Keenan Appiah-Forson has challenged his West Ham United U21s teammates to build on their showing at MK Dons against Chelsea on Saturday.
On Tuesday evening, Mark Robson’s outfit were impressive at Stadium MK and battled in a solid defensive shape to hold League One opposition throughout a goalless first hour, although the hosts would go on to take a 2-0 victory thanks to Matthew Dennis’ second-half double.
And whilst it has been a frustrating season in Premier League 2 for the U21s, Appiah-Forson wants the side to kick on ahead of a tough match against Chelsea at Rush Green Stadium.
“If we play like we did [versus MK Dons] against Chelsea, then we have got a real chance of winning that game,” he said. “We were playing with a lot of younger players. It was a real challenge, but I thought we did well.
“It’s a tough League One side. As soon as we started to get to grips with the game, and we felt comfortable, we just started being ourselves, keeping the ball and trying to make the right options to play. I feel like this [performance] is a boundary as to where we can [get to].”
In Buckinghamshire, the final result did little to show how even the match was until MK Dons netted the opening goal.
But the showing of the young Hammers at Stadium MK still spoke of the quality in the Academy ranks. They more than held their own against league opposition.
“We always want to try and win every game, but we did put out a good performance and we did not deserve a loss,” Appiah-Forson added. “They are faster and stronger than what we usually face. They are a very good side, but I feel like we could have got a result.
“We stuck together. We haven’t been playing too well this season, but it was one of our better games. I am really proud of the team and the performance.
“If we play like that again, we should get a result against Chelsea.”
