Mark Robson feels his West Ham United U21s’ side were simply missing a killer instinct in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Everton.
The Irons found themselves a goal behind at half-time against the Toffees at Rush Green Stadium through Isaac Price’s close-ranged finish, and lost Divin Mubama to a red card early in the second half.
Despite being down to ten men, the home side bounced back through Pierre Ekwah’s second goal in as many games – a well taken finish – but Everton retook the lead just minutes later as substitute Halid Djankpata curled home.
“I thought Everton were a physically strong side and we knew it was going to be a difficult game, in that aspect,” Robson told whufc.com. “We started the game okay but we just lacked a little bit of quality in the final third. That’s something we need to work on. We were just lacking that killer instinct in the final third.
“We lost our way a bit in the second part of the first half and the goal we conceded was awful. It was terrible to see that go in and we could have dealt with it. Perhaps we just needed to be a bit more ruthless. Conceding in that way was disappointing.
“We had Divin sent off at the start of the second half and, once we were down to ten men, it was backs against the walls against a good Everton side. They passed the ball well, but we showed some real resiliency. The boys showed a great work ethic in terms of their effort, after going a man down.
“It was a gut-punch to concede so quickly after Pierre’s finish. No one got out to the ball and the lad has kept running and scored. From that aspect, it was a disappointing goal to concede because Krisztian Hegyi didn’t have too much to do in the game otherwise.
“But the better team won on the day. We need to be better than we were in all aspects.”
The starting XI saw 17-year-old George Earthy and 18-year-old Archie Woods make their first starts at Premier League 2 level, while the likes of Michael Forbes, Regan Clayton and Mubama also started for a young development side.
Robson continued: “Today was a real learning curve for the youngsters in the team. There has to be a point where players go and play, and we had a relatively older team last season which we saw the benefits of. We’re a bit younger this year and these boys have got to learn.
“And they’re doing okay, but it’s a different level. This level of football is quicker, stronger and faster. It was difficult for a couple of them against Everton and these are learning moments for these players. It will come, and I have no doubt it will come for these young boys.”
Robson and his players face a quick turnaround with the first group stage match of the 2022/23 Papa John’s Trophy campaign to come on Tuesday, away to EFL League Two side Walsall.
The lead coach is anticipating another tricky encounter.
“The games are coming thick and fast now and we’ve got to get ready for Tuesday. Walsall is going to be a tough game. They’re a strong, physically tough league side.
“Our lads will be playing against men and it’s going to be another real test for them. It will be a hard game but that’s part of being at this level. These are the types of tests that we learn from.”
