West Ham academy coach Mark Robson says he was disappointed with some of the youngsters who made the first team last week.
David Moyes called up eight current West Ham academy players for the Europa League dead rubber against Dinamo Zagreb last week.
And seven of them featured – five from the start – in the 1-0 defeat while Kamarai Swyer was an unused substitute.
The blooding of the young stars Harrison Ashby, Jamal Baptiste, Aji Alese, Manny Longelo, Sonny Perkins, Keenan Forson and Freddie Potts was seen as the highlight of a drab display.
And none of West Ham’s emerging talent disgraced themselves by any means.
But on their return to the club’s Under 23s this week, some left coach Mark Robson unimpressed.
West Ham coach disappointed with youngsters who made first team and fires warning
The quintet of Longelo, Baptiste, Swyer, Forson and Perkins started the Under 23s game against Wolves on Monday while Potts was on the bench.
West Ham drew the game 0-0 and afterwards Robson fired a warning to those who had recently been involved with the first team.
“We had a few lads back who played in the first team last week who set standards (for themselves with their performances),” Robson told the club’s official website.
“They’ve got to maintain those standards and then get even better.
“I was maybe looking for a bit more from them, having had that opportunity, and to keep in and around that area, it takes a lot of hard work and real consistency with how you play.
“The big message at the end of the game was about standards and maintaining the level we’ve been at, both for the lads who have been training and playing with the first team and also those trying to get into that position.”
Robson praised Hammers boss Moyes for being brave enough to hand so many young players game time.
But he said the hard work is only just beginning for the academy starlets if they want to try and become first team players.
“Real credit also goes to the manager (Moyes), because to put five players in doesn’t happen often!” Robson told whufc.com.
“To actually give five young players opportunities, and bring another two on in the game later on, is brilliant for the Academy.
“For the boys here as well, it’s brilliant, because they know if they keep their standards as high as they can, there might be another opportunity, and that opportunity might help you stay around the first team even longer.
“From the players’ point of view, that’s the message: keep your standards up and it’ll get you to where you want to go.”