West Ham Under-21s coach Liam Manning has admitted that he was impressed by the performance of a number of young players despite the young Hammers’ loss to Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
The Hammers’ reserve squad were put to the sword by League One outfit Bristol Rovers in a 2-0 loss during their EFL Trophy group stage clash on Tuesday.
Manning’s side managed to keep the Pirates at bay in the first half but they conceded the opening goal in the 57th minute through Alex Jakubiak before Tom Lockyer completed the scoring with a header in the 83rd minute.
The result will now mean that West Ham Under-21s will have their workj cut out if they are to qualify from Group L, consisting of Yeovil Town and Exeter City, along with Bristol Rovers.
Despite their loss on Tuesday, Manning has claimed that he was particularly impressed by the showing of West Ham trio Xande Silva, Grady Diagana and Reece Oxford, who all started the game for his team.
“I thought Grady was a real threat again throughout and if you’re looking at players who would get in their team, he would do that”, Manning told the club’s official website.
“Xande showed moments too and looked a threat and Reece Oxford made some good blocks and was better.
“He’s played more football in the last few months than in the last few seasons, so he’s getting better”, he added.
West Ham youngsters will now host Chelsea on Saturday in the Premier League 2 as they aim to get back to winning ways following their consecutive losses to Brighton and Bristol Rovers.
