Hogan's Winning Way



HOGAN Ephraim believed Hammers had the better of the game in the 1-1 Reserve team draw with Chelsea and could be disappointed not to have come away with all three points.

The striker was back in Reserve team action at Aldershot after being sidelined with a shin injury to combine in a strong West Ham United performance.

"It was a very good display from the boys," he said, "and we can take lots of positives from the game.

"In the end we were a bit disappointed not to have won the game, because coming away to Chelsea is always a very tough game but we more than matched them.

"We probably even had the better of the game, because we had a few more chances than they did and after going 1-0 up we had a great chance to go on and win.

"But a draw was still a good result and four games undefeated is a good achievement at this level."

For Hogan it will be back to Under-18 duty this weekend as Tony Carr's team face a home game against Norwich followed by one of the season's toughest tests away to Southampton, who are very strong at Academy level.

Hammers will also be looking to bounce back from a 5-1 defeat against Ipswich on Saturday with a visit from East Anglia rivals Norwich.

"After going seven games unbeaten we want to turn it around as quickly as possible after the Ipswich game," he explained, "and we'll all be raring to go against Norwich.

"I know their goalkeeper Joe Lewis from the England Under-19 squad and he's an excellent keeper. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways against Norwich and then take some confidence into the Southampton game.

"There will be a few familiar faces for me down there as well. Theo Walcott is a well-known player and there is also Nathan Dyer and David McGoldrick. They have a fantastic youth squad down there, although some of those players have been on the fringes of the first-team so I don't know if they'll be playing.

"Who knows what will happen, but we're focusing on a tough game against Norwich at the moment and hopefully we can put in a good performance."