Mark Robson has hailed West Ham United U21s’ work-ethic and quality after Fridays’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The Irons got their first Premier League 2 point of the 2022/23 season on the board in an entertaining match, although the young Hammers will be a tad disappointed to not have taken home all three points.
Robson noted his side certainly created the opportunities to get the win but was nonetheless thrilled with the performance put in by the side.
“It’s a good point today,” Robson told whufc.com. “It could have been three for the lads, to be fair. We probably had the best chances in the game. We’ve got a point though and I’m really delighted for the lads that we got that. They deserved to get something from the game tonight and we probably could have even nicked it.
“I thought in the first half we were probably a bit better in terms of possession of the ball, but second half Manchester United moved the ball around really well. They’re comfortable playing and we had to contain them, and we did.
“The only disappointment is conceding straight after we scored. We took the lead, deservingly so, but I’m disappointed that we conceded again straight after. But in terms of work ethic and the desire to get something from the game, I thought the boys were outstanding. I’m really pleased with the game and there were a lot of positives.”
Kamarai Swyer’s third goal of the season had given the U21s the advantage in the second half at the J Davidson Stadium, only for the Red Devils to hit back quickly through Omari Forson’s tap in.
Robson was pleased to see Swyer continue his goalscoring form, while also giving credit to Ollie Scarles and Callum Marshall, who both performed excellently on their first starts at Premier League 2 level.
“Kam scored again and he’s showed he has that end product. Keenan Appiah-Forson and Callum Marshall both did great for our goal and showed a bit of composure under pressure. Callum found Kam who scored a great finish. Great composure, and he finished really well. I asked for a bit more quality from the lads in the final third in this game and we definitely got it.
“I’m really pleased for Ollie. We played him out wide, which is a foreign position for him, and the idea was for him and Regan Clayton to link up. We saw it once or twice but I have to say, Ollie did really well and I was really pleased for him. Credit to the U18s coach – Kev, Mark and Gerard – and all the staff there, because the boys have come up and they’re having a right go.”
After a tough start to the 2022/23 season, Robson is thrilled for his players that their efforts are starting to yield results.
He added: “I said to the boys at the end that I was so pleased they’ve got a point from the game, and got something on the board, because they deserve it. They’ve worked really hard and shown some really good signs in terms of our quality.
“It’s a young group that has mixed with some of our older ones but we’re still finding our feet a bit with it all, but I’m confident we will get there. Tonight, we got our just reward.”
