West Ham United U21s lead coach Mark Robson believed that despite a negative result, there were positives and a lot to learn from his side’s 3-0 defeat by Stevenage on Friday.
Despite a stirring response to a testing opening ten minutes, the young Hammers were unable to create many clear cut chances, with Divin Mubama coming closest to hitting the net at Rush Green Stadium.
It was another useful test against senior opposition, with Robson’s side taking on EFL League Two opponents a week after achieving 2-1 victory over National League team Ebbsfleet.
Speaking to whufc.com after the game, the lead coach discussed his team’s performance, what he learned from it and what is to come next week against another National League side in Dagenham and Redbridge.
Mark, how do evaluate your side’s performance against Stevenage?
“It was a really good test for us because we were up against a real physical side. The reality is that we got found out a little bit. I think it was tough, especially for some of the younger players. The physicality and intensity, even against League Two opposition, was extremely high.
“That’s a good thing though from my point of view, we needed to see today’s performance to properly realise the situation. They were sharper, stronger and they caused us a lot more problems than we caused them.
“I think we only had one good chance with [Divin] Mubama (pictured), other than that we didn’t really create much. I just think that overall, it was a really good test for us. There’s definitely a lot for us to look at.”
There were a number of difficult periods in the match. Were you happy with how your team responded in those moments?
“Obviously we were under a lot of pressure at times, but I think there were also times when we passed the ball well and tried to control the game, but despite some spells of possession, we were unable to really hurt them. We never really found enough moments to exploit them in behind and when we did, the pass wasn’t quite there, and we gave it away.
“When we did get into the areas we wanted to get into it didn’t quite happen for us. There were definitely some good bits and some positives to take, especially our ability at times to control the game, but we lacked penetration.”
A number of players in the squad have been with the first team at some point in preseason. How important is it for them to continue to play against senior opponents?
“I think it is really important. I think we struggled to show our quality, even the lads that have been in and around the first team found it tough. Of course, when they come back from the first team you can see small signs that they’ve been with them. The way they apply themselves, and what they’ve been up against in the first team is a little bit different to what it’s like in the U21s.
“Stevenage made it hard for us, but it’s still a disappointment that we lacked a bit of quality with the players we had out there.”
Finally, a similar test awaits against Dagenham and Redbridge next. What will you take away from Stevenage into that game?
“Hopefully we’ll gain a realisation of what it is like to play against men, against stronger, quicker players than we’re perhaps used to in U21s football.
“We realised that we do need to move the ball quicker, we do have to think quicker, and we didn’t do that, so I’m hoping we can put that right next week. As always positives to take from today, and I think we all learned a few things as well. We have a week to prepare and we will go into the game looking to give them a test, as opposed to them giving us one.”
