West Ham United U23s Lead Coach Mark Robson has called on his team to learn from their mistakes after suffering defeat at the hands of Leicester City.
West Ham’s nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end at home to the Foxes as Wanya Marcal-Madivadua slotted home in the 89 minute to inflict a 2-1 loss on the Hammers.
The Irons had battled back from conceding the early opener after a defensive mix-up through Sonny Perkins’ superb finish but, while Robson was happy with how his team performed in the first half, felt the second half showing left much to be desired.
“We conceded really early from a mistake but actually, for the first 15 to 20 minutes, I thought it was one of the best starts we’ve had in a game since I’ve been here, Robson told whufc.com.
Players make mistakes and that’s fine, but you’ve got to learn from them
Mark Robson
“We were slick, we moved the ball well and we got runners in behind. We caused Leicester problems and I was actually quite pleased with the first half, overall. I think we could have done with another five minutes in the first half because we were pushing and they were probably glad it came.
“But, in the second half, I thought Leicester were stronger than us. I thought they caused us problems and created chances. We maybe need to be a bit more clinical, but overall I’m just disappointed with the second half. We didn’t do enough and there were too many stray passes from some of the more experienced players in our team. We gave the ball away and we didn’t have any real flow, which was a bit disappointing.
“It was an individual mistake for their second goal which is something we’ve got to improve upon. Players make mistakes and that’s fine, but you’ve got to learn from them.
“We can take mistakes. Mistakes aren’t a problem. For the first goal, that’s Aji’s first mistake in my time here. No issue with that because it happens. You dust yourself off and go again.”
The defeat is the U23s’ first loss since early November, when the side were also beaten 2-1 by Leicester in the reverse fixture.
Robson admitted that the Foxes put up a big test against his Hammers and his team were prepared for a tough fixture.
He continued: “I thought we gave the ball away cheaply and we weren’t as calm as we have been. We perhaps lacked a little bit of movement to support the player on the ball.
“To be fair, take nothing away from Leicester, I thought they were a very good side. They were in our face and were probably the best side we’ve played so far this season. We knew it was going to be a tough game and it just didn’t quite work for us.
“We’re disappointed not to take something away from the game but, take nothing away from Leicester either.”
Having played four games in 14 days, the U23s now have a slight break until the next game, when they travel to face Manchester United away on Friday 4 February.
Robson added: “We’re going to give the boys a bit of a rest. It’s been a really busy spell and there’s not been a lot of time to recover, so we’ve got a bit of time now where we can do that.
“But, a couple of days, and we’ll be back on it again. We’ll be preparing and getting ready for Manchester United away next week.”