West Ham United U23s lead coach Dmitri Halajko was filled with reward for his aspect’s efficiency of their excellent 6-0 win over Manchester United U23s on Saturday.
The younger Hammers have been the dominant group from the very opening exchanges, taking the lead by Armstrong Okoflex’s penalty – gained and scored by the left winger – in simply the fifth minute.
They constructed from there, stepping into at half-time three objectives to the nice due to a Jamal Baptiste header from Harrison Ashby’s own-goal, and an Okoflex cross which deflected in off a Manchester United U23s defender.
The second half proved a lot the identical when it comes to momentum, with Okoflex profitable and scoring one other penalty inside the primary two minutes, earlier than additional late strikes from Sonny Perkins and Thierry Nevers accomplished the rout with Alvaro Fernandez proven a straight crimson card for the guests.
The gorgeous 6-0 win strikes West Ham again as much as second within the Premier League 2 Division 1 desk, forward of Arsenal on aim distinction, and now only one level behind reigning champions Manchester City U23s.
Halajko informed West Ham TV: “It was an ideal day actually. A consequence like that and a efficiency like that, in opposition to a membership like Manchester United, and that strikes us second within the league, one level off the highest…
“A few the lads have been on the bench for the primary group in midweek they usually got here again and performed properly right this moment, so these are the sort of days you need. It was an ideal day for all concerned – Academy gamers and workers have performed a fantastic job.”
The younger Hammers scored at the very least three objectives in a recreation for the fourth consecutive fixture on Saturday, and because of this moved forward of Arsenal U23s on aim distinction, again up into second place.
That the objectives have come from a wide range of sources was all of the extra pleasing for Halajko and his workers.
He continued: “Going forwards right this moment we have been devastating from all areas – not solely from all of our entrance three, but additionally backed up by our full-backs, who acquired assists as properly. The midfielders have been comfy on the ball and constructing issues for us.
“Going forwards, we seemed as if we might rating each time we did and that’s not straightforward. We made it look straightforward, however we have been enjoying in opposition to group and it takes a number of onerous work from the gamers to have the ability to get to that stage. We’re seeing among the advantages of that onerous work.
“That’s how we like to play. We wish to be an attacking group – a group that goes ahead and performs thrilling, attacking soccer. When it comes off, it’s good to observe and good to be a part of.
“The previous few weeks we’ve had days like that the place it’s been clicking, we’ve been on run, and it’s been an absolute joy.”
Halajko was additionally filled with reward for his group’s collective efficiency, highlighting how impressively the U18s inside his beginning XI have made themselves at residence at U23s stage.
He smiled: “I feel to have three youth teamers on the pitch as properly, who didn’t look like youth group gamers, was one other spectacular facet.
“All the person performances have been top-drawer – I couldn’t single out anybody – however to have three youth teamers in Sonny, Jamal and Freddie [Potts] play so properly, I feel that’s one other facet that makes the consequence much more pleasing right this moment.”
At the top of a proud week for all related to the Academy of Football – 19-year-old Dan Chesters made his first-team debut within the UEFA Europa League win over Genk on Thursday, and the U18s thrashed Aston Villa 5-0 on Saturday morning – Halajko was delighted to replicate on West Ham’s promising future.
He famous: “Dan deserves it. He’s been in actually good kind this 12 months. His work charge is phenomenal and he’s beginning to have an effect on every recreation an increasing number of.
“He’s such a risk in the mean time and I wasn’t shocked that the first-team supervisor put him on, as a result of that exhibits how properly he’s doing.
“He’s going to proceed to get higher, and I feel the others will proceed to get higher – hopefully there are extra debuts and minutes within the first-team image for them, as a result of I feel there’s some actual expertise in our group who could make that subsequent step.
“Hopefully, that’ll occur for them quickly.”
https://www.whufc.com/information/articles/2021/october/23-october/dmitri-halajko-performances-are-absolute-joy