Manning: It could have been even better against Spurs

Manning

 

West Ham United U23 coach Liam Manning believes it could have been an even better night for his side after they twice fought back after falling behind to draw 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur.

It was the hosts who dominated the London derby clash in Dagenham, missing a number of opportunities in an end-to-end first half before nearly stealing all three points in a cagier second.

Nevertheless, it was still a point gained for the Hammers who went into the fixture looking to pick themselves up on the back of two defeats.

Maiden strikes of the season from Domingos Quina and Marcus Browne earned the draw and with the team’s performance, Manning thought they could have even gone on to nick it.

He said: “We got off to a bad start after three minutes but after we completely got on top and controlled the game. We missed a lot of chances before then getting back into the game and they obviously got another one on the counter.

“We’re pleased with the point but with the chances we had, we would have liked to have won the game.

We’ll take the point and we’d have liked the three but it is what it is. With the chances we had, we would have liked to have won the game

Liam Manning

Browne got off the mark for the season with a penalty

“Spurs looked dangerous on the counter attack but we spoke about it at half time and I think you could tell; we were more solid and I don’t really remember Nathan [Trott] making many saves. We looked the more likely.

“I think we adapted to the difficult conditions better than they did and we’ll take the point and we’d have liked the three but it is what it is.”

Browne’s equaliser – the Hammers’ second – came from the penalty spot after sub Jahmal Hector-Ingram had been fouled, and the Premier League 2 side’s assistant boss was delighted to see the captain – as well as Quina – get off the mark for the campaign.

“The goal will hopefully give Marcus a boost going forward after he’d been out for a while, and his performances since he returned has been superb,” Manning continued. “He will hopefully continue to look a threat and you give him a few more chances, he’ll score those.

“With Domingos, he’s got to score or create goals and the fact he got in the box tonight is testament that he’s taking it on board and learning from that.

“We made the point to the players before the game about what a big game it was, that rivalry and ultimately we want to aspire to be better than them.

“It was a really good competitive game and our lads stood up to it and we really deserved at least a point.”