Blues assistant boss Chris Hutchings was delighted with Town’s performance as they defeated Premier League West Ham 3-1 at Portman Road.

Hutchings said: “It was a very good work-out. We thank West Ham for bringing a very good, strong side down here. The support made a decent atmosphere for us and we’re obviously very, very pleased with the 90 minutes we put in.

“We don’t read too much into it, we were looking to get certain things out of it and I felt we did that today.”

Lee Martin made his first start of pre-season after suffering with a thigh injury and Hutchings was pleased with his display: “It was nice that Lee Martin could play in a competitive game. He did very well. We know that he can do that, he did that in that position last season for us, so that was a plus.

“That was his first 45 minutes from the injury he’s had, so [substituting him at half-time] was more precautionary than anything else.

“We had a very, very young side out there today. We got all the subs on today as well, which took the average age down a little bit more.”

On-loan midfielder Massimo Luongo again pleased the Blues management: “He did very well,” said Hutchings. “He showed what a good player he is. We tried him in a three, we’ve tried him in a two, we’re looking at different formations. Luke Hyam’s come into the side as well, we’ve got Tommy Smith back, they were all positives today.”

With only Andy Drury out injured with a calf problem, Hutchings said today’s team was near enough the strongest side available at present, although he was “sure some of the players would argue”.

Whether that will be the team fielded at Colchester on Wednesday remains to be seen: “We’re looking at different formations, different combinations on the pitch, centre-halves, in midfield, up front.

“I thought young Rooney [Ronan Murray] came on and did well today. People did themselves the power of good today.

“One or two of the games we’ve had previously have been very disappointing, the players know that, but it was a massive improvement today.”

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

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