David Unsworth wants same effort as u21's face West Ham

Under-21s coach David Unsworth says he expects his side to put right the wrongs of their previous outing against Leicester City when they face West Ham United on Thursday.

Despite what Unsworth called their best display of the season, the young Blues fell to a late 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Foxes.

But should the group maintain the level of performance against the Hammers, the former Toffees defender feels they will return to winning ways at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

“I think the lads will want to put things right after undeservedly losing against Leicester,” said Unsworth. “They will want to just get a win. We have a game in hand on other teams and if we win that we jump up the league. I have told them that Thursday’s game against West Ham is that game in hand.

“There are no complaints from the Leicester game - that was us at our best. Yes we got beat but at Under-21 level you take the performance individually and collectively and to a man we were outstanding.”

Unsworth was especially pleased with the individual displays of a number of his side, including the returning Matthew Kennedy, who made his first outing since his loan spell at Hibernian.

“I was delighted with Matty,” added Unsworth. “But I was delighted with everybody. Matty Hewelt in goal – in his first Under-21 game – and Callum Connolly in his first start were both fantastic. Tyias Browning was unbelievable alongside Jonjoe Kenny.

“Ryan Ledson had his best game of the season, Conor Grant’s had his best game, David Henen as well and Kieran Dowell came on and was unplayable.

“There were so many positives that I refused to be disappointed. I am looking for more against West Ham.”