West Ham United First Team Coach Billy McKinley said Lincoln City caused the Irons some problems.
“I thought [Lincoln] were really good. They caused us some problems. They were organised and were everything we thought they would be before the game.”
Tomas Soucek’s second-half goal was the only thing that separated the two sides when the final whistle was blown, proving that West Ham had to work hard for their victory.
McKinley said: “We knew we’d get a tough game.”
David Moyes made ten changes to his team, with only goal scorer Soucek remaining from the 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday.
McKinley praised the depth of West Ham’s squad, as after ten changes they could start the likes of Danny Ings, Mohammed Kudus and Said Benrahma.
He said: “We’ve got a really, really strong squad.”
The 1-0 win was West Ham’s first clean sheet of the season. McKinley was clearly impressed with his side’s defensive performance and said: “Clean sheets are good. It gives you a good opportunity to win the game.”
The game was tight throughout the first-half and into the second, where West Ham eventually took the lead. Lincoln City’s Mark Kennedy thought his side deserved something out of the game.
Former Scotland international McKinley said: “You’re always wary that one goal might be the goal that wins the game.”
West Ham will face fellow Londoners Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round. Their First Team Coach said: “Overall, we are happy to win the game and get through to the next round.”