West Ham United first-team coach Billy McKinlay spoke in a post-match press conference following the Hammers' 3-1 win over Viborg at the London Stadium.
Gianluca Scamacca, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio all scored in the first leg of the two sides' Europa Conference League play-off qualifying round first round tie, giving the Hammers a two-goal lead ahead of next week's second leg.
Here is every word McKinlay said on the win, ticket prices, Said Benrahma and more.
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What did you make of that performance?
From our point of view, I think it was a bit frustrating. We had some good moments, periods in the game but they probably weren’t for long enough at times. We were trying to find that rhythm across the 90 minutes. A bit of a mixed bag really in terms of emotions.
Did the crowd have any affect to that? Did it feel quieter today?
No, I thought the crowd were really good. I genuinely thought they were right behind us. I thought at times they could have been a bit frustrated with some of our players not quite up to it at times, but I thought they were really good. They backed us, they gave the players, particularly the new players, a good welcome. They probably enjoyed the goals, I’m sure. They were probably a little bit frustrated, the same as us, at times. I thought it was a brilliant turnout.
Some fans did mention the ticket price? Did you think more could have been done to encourage people to attend?
To be honest, I have absolutely no idea on the ticket prices so I am not going to get involved or comment on something I don’t know too much on. All I’m interested in is that our supporters turned out tonight in difficult circumstances across people’s lives to put it politely, the rail strike and other things has made it difficult. Everyone who turned up tonight backed us and backed the players and gave a little bit.
How pleased are you and how pleased is Gianluca Scamacca after a goal on his first start?
He’s probably super pleased and I’m equally as pleased. All strikers are judged on goals and to get off the mark really quickly. A new career, new surrounding, it’s a big thing for us and for centre forwards. They live on that, don’t they? He’ll be delighted. Saw some good moments off that, still short of games, still short of match fitness, he’s not played a game. Plenty more to come from him. He’ll be pleased to get off the mark.
How important was Michail Antonio’s goal to make it 3-1?
I think it was really important. I think two things of the game, I think 2-0 was an opportunity for us to kick on. We’d done a lot of work on Viborg, they’re a good outfit. Technically, some good players and a nice style about them and nice on the ball. We didn’t think it was going to be an easy game but we felt that the opportunity to really assert our assurance and take territorial advantage at times, we didn’t quite take advantage. Two up, we maybe go again and maybe get another and we should be a bit more comfortable. Micky’s goal settled us down a little bit. They made a couple of opportunities earlier on in the game. A decent result, I think, it probably could have been a little bit better. We go into the second leg with a bit more confidence.
The decision to start Angelo Ogbonna and make him captain?
The captaincy, Angelo has been a mainstay at the club for years, so there is a respect level initially from that point of view. We know he has got leadership, we know he has got respect from the dressing room. That was not an easy decision from that sense, we’ve got other players, Tomas Soucek, Manuel Lanzini, as well. Angelo is a natural one for that, we felt. It was probably a week or two to early for Angelo to really ask him to be ready and go, but we are short of centre-backs and we are not quite as blessed with the number of players as we would like to have. I thought he did well, I thought he came through the game. He looks fit and strong. He still needs a number of games over a long time but he brings a good physical presence and stature to the team.
Do you think Said Benrahma will be able to maintain the good start to the season he is having?
I think he’s had a really good start. I think he had a good performance on Sunday and he’s come on tonight, obviously made a goal and looked a threat when he came on tonight. We know Said’s got real quality, we all want him to do really well. He’s had a good start to the season. In previous seasons, everybody’s really strived for that consistency, we know he is capable of doing that. He is going to be a big player for the club. He should take a lot of confidence from the last two games.
How was it having David Moyes in the stands and did you get to speak to him?
I haven’t spoken to him. I feel a bit of heat in the back of my neck, so I’m pretty sure I’ll get it tonight or tomorrow. He’s a manager of stature and presence and we need him on the touchline parading the troops. Quite strange to have him up there looking down from afar, but I’m sure I’ll get the full [brief] at some point.
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