Robson’s team defeated Cheltenham 2-1 in the EFL Trophy, though they failed to qualify for the knockout stages, losing out on goal difference to the Robins and MK Dons.
It was not the first senior opposition that the West Ham youth team had defeated in the competition as they also won against League Two club Walsall in the group stage.
Robson highlighted that the Cheltenham game was important for the players in his side, as they were playing League One opposition with a larger number of eyes on their performance than normal.
The lead coach thinks West Ham Under-21s passed the test with flying colours and are ready to play senior football at league level.
Speaking to West Ham’s official site post-match, Robson said: “For the boys, this is important.
“It’s important to come to play against league opposition, when there are scouts and other managers watching, which puts our players in the limelight a bit – particularly when they play as well as that.
“I have to say, everybody in our team today showed they are capable of playing league football.
“We want to get these boys not just in our U21s and trying to get in the first team, but also out on loan like a few of them are this season.
“You couldn’t help but notice how good some of our boys either during this game.”
The EFL Trophy game was welcome relief for the West Ham Under-21s as they are currently bottom of the Premier League 2 table.
