Potts pleased with Norwich win

Dan Potts was full of praise for his West Ham United team-mates after a 2-0 win over Norwich City which sent them to the top of the Barclays U21 Premier League.

Potts' central defensive partner Pelly Ruddock opened the scoring after half-an-hour when his cross was deflected in by Norwich goalkeeper Remi Matthews. Kieran Sadlier the wrapped up all three points with another cross which the Canaries stopper was unable to deal with.

The win means the Development Squad leapt from third place to go above Fulham at the top of the standings and Potts was happy with another victory.

He told West Ham TV: "We're over the moon. The boys were terrific and I thought it was a good all-round performance. It was a good physical test and all over the park the boys were on top of their game and on top of their opponents.

"The work we've been doing showed and we've now got to make the big step up from this level to the senior game and physically we looked good."

Potts is part of a defence which has now only conceded just once in four matches if you count last Friday's 5-0 friendly demolition of Ipswich Town.

The left-footer said the team's strong defensive displays are due to every player on the pitch playing their part. On Friday night Norwich found out just how tough it is to break down the young Hammers and Potts was happy with the defensive effort.

"We knew before the game what their main threat was with the good frontline they have. The boys up front put in a good shift today and that helps the rest of the team out."

Potts also spoke well of his partner in the heart of defence who he feels has developed well since he joined the Club.

He said: "Pelly's a good character to have around. He's come on a lot since he joined the Club and improved areas of his game.

"When he joined he wasn't a centre-half but he's dropped back in there and he's coped very well this year and against Norwich he got his goal which was pleasing for him."

Victory against Norwich puts the team a point clear at the top with seven games played. The young defender is confident that the Hammers can make the top spot their own.

"It's where we want to be. Before the game we knew if we won we'd go back to the top of the league and that was the only thing on our minds.

"I'm pleased we got the win and we're back where we want to be."

The Development Squad will return to Barclays U21 Premier League action against Wolverhampton Wanderers at AFC Telford United on Monday 21 October at 7pm.