- Terry Westley felt the test VVV-Venlo provided on Saturday was a step too far for his young Hammers
- The Academy boss was speaking after a 6-1 defeat in the Netherlands
- Marcus Browne’s performance was highlighted as a positive to come from the game
The Development Squad took on Venlo at their Seacon Stadion – De Koel on Saturday but were comfortably beaten 6-1 by the second division team who put out their strongest XI.
The Hammers fielded a number of 15, 16 and 17-year-olds in the fixture which marked the end of their pre-season trip to the Netherlands.
And Westley felt West Ham’s partner club provided the squad with an extremely tough test.
He said: “They are a good side, which I knew because I’ve seen them play maybe six times. I knew the quality they have got and they’ll challenge for promotion this year. It was a step too far for some of our younger ones, and it was men against boys at times.
“We have also been training very hard, which made the game difficult. Their season starts next week, so they’ve eased down before the game. The manager went full-blooded and fielded a very strong side.
“There are some real lessons to be learnt and the boys have to come and dust themselves down and be ready to get back to training on Tuesday.”
A number of players arrived in Holland on the morning of the match having left first team duty with Slaven Bilic’s squad, with goalscorer Toni Martinez included.
Westley pinpointed some positives that came from the match from his point of view.
“As long as the boys – and the staff – learn from this match, in the long run it can only do us good,” he continued. “I talk about personality and did they show any personality? I have to say, Marcus Browne who came out with us here for the game, came through the game with flying colours. He was aggressive with and without the ball.
“Too many of the younger boys didn’t change their expression on the pitch, and when you’re going under, you need to do something about it. Marcus did that, and maybe the two goalkeepers as well.
“If any centre-forward scores 20 plus goals a season, that is fantastic so it was pleasing to see Toni Martinez get on the scoresheet. It wasn’t an easy game, especially for the boys who arrived on the morning of the game, and Toni was one of those.
“If you’re playing and scoring, people will talk about you. Toni looks like a finisher and that is his game. He has power in and around the box. If he sees the goal, he has a shot.”
The link between the Hammers and VVV-Venlo will continue to see young players head to Holland on loan, as defender Sam Westley did last season, and the boss wished his opponents well for the campaign ahead.
“I hope that Venlo go into their season with lots of confidence – they should do! – so we have helped them in one way. It just shows you, if you want to come on loan here to help Venlo, you have to be a good player. You can see the quality they have.”
Westley pinpointed some positives that came from the match from his point of view.
“As long as the boys – and the staff – learn from this match, in the long run it can only do us good,” he continued. “I talk about personality and did they show any personality? I have to say, Marcus Browne who came out with us here for the game, came through the game with flying colours. He was aggressive with and without the ball.
“Too many of the younger boys didn’t change their expression on the pitch, and when you’re going under, you need to do something about it. Marcus did that, and maybe the two goalkeepers as well.
“If any centre-forward scores 20 plus goals a season, that is fantastic so it was pleasing to see Toni Martinez get on the scoresheet. It wasn’t an easy game, especially for the boys who arrived on the morning of the game, and Toni was one of those.
“If you’re playing and scoring, people will talk about you. Toni looks like a finisher and that is his game. He has power in and around the box. If he sees the goal, he has a shot.”
The link between the Hammers and VVV-Venlo will continue to see young players head to Holland on loan, as defender Sam Westley did last season, and the boss wished his opponents well for the campaign ahead.
“I hope that Venlo go into their season with lots of confidence – they should do! – so we have helped them in one way. It just shows you, if you want to come on loan here to help Venlo, you have to be a good player. You can see the quality they have.”