Freddie Potts believes West Ham United U21s were unlucky to not come away from Friday’s Premier League 2 match against Manchester United with all three points.
The Irons put in a resolute and impressive showing at the J. Davidson Stadium to get a first point on the board in the league this season, with Kamarai Swyer striking on 59 minutes to give the Hammers the lead.
Manchester United struck back through Omari Forson but the Irons also saw other chances go agonisingly close, with Will Greenidge and Callum Marshall just missing in each half.
Potts was happy to get a result registered and feels the side were not too far from getting the win.
“We’re definitely a little disappointed we didn’t get three points, to be honest,” the midfielder told whufc.com. “We created chances in both halves. In the first half, Callum Marshall got himself into a good position and, in the second, we hit them on the counter attack. I think we did well to catch them out but we just couldn’t put them all away. We played really well.
“It’s always part of the game plan, against a team like Manchester United, to try and catch them on the counter. We knew that, with their possession, they might get a bit complacent at times and give the ball away. We hit them on the counter and that worked with our goal. And, on another day, more of our chances go in.”
Potts had a lot of praise for Marshall and Ollie Scarles – two lads who started the season with the U18s but have earned their respective opportunities in the development side.
“We’ve got some of the boys in here from the U18s last season and I’m sure Kevin, Mark and Gerard will be proud of how they’re playing for us. Callum Marshall up front was a real threat for us and Ollie Scarles showed his quality on the left as well. Those two are a real danger for us and hats off to them for that.”
Despite not having a win yet in the league this season, the young Hammers’ efforts have kept improving, and Potts is thrilled the side have been able to adapt to each challenge.
He added: “I think we’re just a bit annoyed that the things we show on the pitch don’t necessarily show in the results on the board. I feel like, in games like this one, where we didn’t really play to the way we want to, we still showed a lot of character. It’s another step for us.”
