Westley happy despite defeat

Development team boss Terry Westley refused to criticise any of his players despite them losing 2-0 at Swansea last night (Fri).The team entered the game with two wins from two although the Swans also boasted a 100 per cent record.

Owain Jones and Botti Bia Bi were their scorers although the report on the official site says young Hammers Marcus Browne up-front and 16-year-old Alfie Lewis in midfield impressed.

Westley said: “It was a really good standard of game, and we matched them throughout. They had something like 200 Premier League appearances in their side and had some very experienced players. The standard was high.

“There was nothing in the game. We were 60-40 up possession-wise in the first half and had the clearer cut chances in that 45. We said in the dressing room, it’s all about being ruthless in both boxes.

“We lost a goal when our captain Declan [Rice] was off the pitch [receiving treatment] and you have to learn to drop in and cover when that happens. That goal was the key, really.

“It’s tough to be hard on the players tonight because we played very well again. We just were left without that streak of finishing.”