Tony Carr is demanding more from his West Ham United Under-18 side following their 3-0 FA Youth Cup fourth-round win over Queens Park Rangers.
Cristian Montano scored twice and Robert Hall once to warm supporters' hearts on a cold evening at the Boleyn Ground, but the Academy Director believes his young charges could have played better football, despite the positive result.
Carr told WHUTV his players may have been trying too hard to impress, with many making their debuts at the stadium. With a home tie with Newcastle United to follow in the fifth round, he is hoping they are more accustomed to their grand surroundings second time around.
"It was obviously a cup tie and the most important thing is to be in the next round, and we won the game comfortably in the end," said Carr. "I was a little bit disappointed with the overall performance as I thought we could have used the ball better and passed the ball better.
"Sometimes it affects the boys when they play here as they are a little bit nervous and a little bit anxious and maybe try to prove too much that they are good players, rather than playing a more natural game.
"The more we play here, the better, and fortunately we've got a home draw against Newcastle, who I know were here watching us. Hopefully, we'll put on a better performance and be less nervous, but overall I was very pleased with the result.
"I thought we could have played a little bit better football, which I always like to do in the showcase games here at Upton Park. It wasn't to be, but I'm glad to be in the next round.
"We have another game here and it's only a couple of weeks away. They'll be more used to it and be in more familiar surroundings. It may seem strange to people, but when they go and play at a stadium, it does change the dynamics of the game."
The U18s have lost just twice in their last 12 league and cup matches, and Carr knows there is more to come from his players, who withstood a robust, physical approach from their opponents.
Two of those to shine were Montano and Hall, who have forged a potent partnership that has now produced 13 goals this season. While his forwards both impressed, along with left-back Jordan Brown, Carr wants a bigger contribution from the midfield.
"For a lot of the game, we starved Robert and Cristian of any quality. They had long periods of the game where they didn't have any of the ball, which was disappointing, but I'm picking at nits really! I am pleased with the result."
Having advanced to the last 16, Carr and his staff will now swot up on Newcastle, who reached the fifth round themselves with victory over Reading.
"I don't know anything about them," Carr admitted. "We'll have to do some homework and see if we can get some information on them, but it's really about us again and how we play. If we play well, we'll be a match for anybody."