Development Squad coach Steve Potts said he was very disappointed with his team's performance in their 3-0 defeat away at Sunderland.
The Black Cats started the game the stronger and they were rewarded when they won a penalty which Martin Smith slotted home.
The second half was more even with the Hammers having several half-chances to equalise. However it was the hosts who wrapped up the victory late on when Rees Greenwood ran onto Mikael Madron's incisive through-ball before Duncan Watmore scored in the 90th minute.
Speaking after the game, Potts said: "I was disappointed all round really. We huffed and puffed but we didn't do enough with the ball or without the ball.
"I think they had the better chances, whether the score line reflected the game I'm not so sure. At 1-0 with ten or so minutes to go you think you're still in the game, bu we gave three goals away from our own making."
With the Dev Squad's game with Manchester City rescheduled for later in the season, the Hammers' next game is another tough away trip to Liverpool on Friday 20th March.
When asked what he thought his team needed to improve on, if they are to compete with the Reds, Potts replied: "We need to use the ball better and maintain possession better. When we don't have the ball we need to be more resilient then what we showed tonight.
"It is a very young team and hopefully they'll learn from this quickly. They've been put in the spotlight and it was a harsh lesson.
"I thought Sunderland mixed their game up. They tried to vary their play and stretch us, which they did. We didn't deal with a fourty yard ball and that's how they won the penalty. They weren't just one dimensional.'
The Black Cats started the game the stronger and they were rewarded when they won a penalty which Martin Smith slotted home.
The second half was more even with the Hammers having several half-chances to equalise. However it was the hosts who wrapped up the victory late on when Rees Greenwood ran onto Mikael Madron's incisive through-ball before Duncan Watmore scored in the 90th minute.
Speaking after the game, Potts said: "I was disappointed all round really. We huffed and puffed but we didn't do enough with the ball or without the ball.
"I think they had the better chances, whether the score line reflected the game I'm not so sure. At 1-0 with ten or so minutes to go you think you're still in the game, bu we gave three goals away from our own making."
With the Dev Squad's game with Manchester City rescheduled for later in the season, the Hammers' next game is another tough away trip to Liverpool on Friday 20th March.
When asked what he thought his team needed to improve on, if they are to compete with the Reds, Potts replied: "We need to use the ball better and maintain possession better. When we don't have the ball we need to be more resilient then what we showed tonight.
"It is a very young team and hopefully they'll learn from this quickly. They've been put in the spotlight and it was a harsh lesson.
"I thought Sunderland mixed their game up. They tried to vary their play and stretch us, which they did. We didn't deal with a fourty yard ball and that's how they won the penalty. They weren't just one dimensional.'