Mark Robson indicated that a loss of rhythm in possession and disappointing defending from set-pieces led to West Ham United U21s’ 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
The Irons looked set to claim a fifth consecutive win in all competitions at Rush Green Stadium on Friday evening, courtesy of superb goals by Pierre Ekwah and Divin Mubama in the first half, but the Red Devils battled back in the second period, scoring three times to take all three points.
Joe Hugill’s penalty on 52 minutes was followed by two goals from corner kicks – netted by Marc Jurardo and Sonny Aljofree on 68 minutes and 85 minutes, respectively – leaving Robson frustrated with the development side’s defensive efforts from the set plays.
Add in an enforced change at half-time, which saw Ekwah substituted off, and a subsequent lack of attacking threat, and the lead coach admitted the loss to Manchester United was a difficult one to take.
Despite defeat, Robson could find positives in the first-half efforts from his side and was eager to praise his team’s performances in recent weeks…
The first half performance was superb, both in and out of possession.
It was probably the best we’ve played in a 45 minute spell. Our two goals were outstanding too; some really brilliant play and real quality. It was stuff we’ve been working on around pressing and counter-attacking, and it was executed really well.
I thought we look really good but we had to make a change at half-time, and take off Pierre Ekwah, and it had a big impact.
Manchester United, to be fair, got a grip of the game in the second half and we lost our rhythm a little bit, certainly with Pierre coming off. He was a key player for us in the first half and we couldn’t quite get going. We created very little in the second half.
I’m really disappointed with the goals in the second half.
With the penalty, we didn’t get out to their short corner quick enough, which is something we had talked about. We could have got closer but we didn’t stop the ball coming in, and then we give away the penalty from the poor clearance. So that was disappointing.
The second one, we need bodies on the line to stop or block the shot. We need to be goal-side, and be first to the ball, but we didn’t do that. The third one, we get beat at the near post and don’t deal with the next bit. All three are very disappointing goals to concede. Three set-pieces conceded is frustrating, after being two goals up and looking comfortable.
We lost our rhythm in the game.
We didn’t play as well in the second half as we did in the first half. Generally though, we’ve done really well and we’ve actually played really well throughout most of the season.
We’ve had a good run of it recently but today, two goals up, and you’re thinking we’re going to be okay. But it’s not to be.
We’ve got a young group who have been doing really well.
We’ve got a superb group who have come into the U21s from the U18s and have really impressed. They’re doing well and no one is guaranteed a place in the team, which is brilliant and exactly how I think it should be.
We’ve got one or two lads who are excelling at the moment and you have to earn the right to get into this side. Everyone here has to adhere to that and work hard, and do everything they need to do, in order to get into this team.
We’ll go again next week against Chelsea.
Hopefully we can continue the form that we showed in the first half against Manchester United. If we can consistent with it over 90 minutes, I’m sure we can get another win.
