Roger Cross says that the attitude of the senior pros playing in the reserves has played a big part in helping the reserves extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.
"It is a run of confidence which has been bred by good results - and senior players who have come in, such as Don and Steve lately, have been really good for the young players," he says.
"Quinny and Adam Nowland are two other good examples of senior players who show a good attitude - and there is a belief there that we are going to win."
West Ham extended the run with a 2-1 win at Wimbledon on Wednesday with Sam Wright and Graeme Carrick opening their accounts for the reserves, and Roger says:
"Sam Wright scored an outstanding first goal after running from midfield and hitting it from 30 yards - it hit the back of the net without bouncing.
"The second was a near post corner from Quinny which Anton Ferdinand flicked on and Graeme Carrick charged in to head home.
"We conceded two minutes from time after a lapse of concentration in defence; their player was one on one with Fordey and put it away.
"But I must say that he made an excellent save in the second half, again one on one - it was a wonderful stop.
"We finished with a very young team again, so that is more credit to the lads."
As for Don Hutchison, who didn't finish the game, Roger says:
"Don had a slight groin strain, which is why he had to come off, but he will be okay for Saturday, I would have thought."
Elliot Ward played his first reserve game of the season, and Roger adds:
"He came through okay; he had 45 minutes on Saturday for the U19s as well and he is coming on fine."
TEAM: Forde, Ferdinand, Cohen, Lomas, Lumsden, Ward [Parrington 60], Carole, Wright, Hutchison [Shaw 80], Carrick G, Quinn.
Subs: Tattam, Behcet, Stokes.