Byron Anthony | Let’s finish the season strongly

Byron Anthony has challenged Swansea City Under-18s to finish the season in a strong manner and build momentum heading into the 2020-21 campaign.

The young Swans welcome Crewe Alexandra to Landore on Saturday for their penultimate match of the Professional Development League season.

Anthony’s side produced a hugely encouraging performance in their 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town in midweek.

Despite falling behind on the hour mark at St George’s Park, the Swans demonstrated tremendous resilience against the FA Youth Cup semi-finalists before grabbing a deserved last-minute equaliser through Joel Cotterill’s penalty.

Anthony is now targeting more of the same as the under-18s’ campaign concludes with back-to-back home games against Crewe and Birmingham.

Should his players maintain their performance levels, he is confident it will serve as a positive momentum builder and stand them in good stead ahead of next season.

“My challenge to the players is to finish the season strongly,” the under-18s coach said.

“If we do that – individually and collectively – you normally start the following season on the front foot.

“Therefore, it’s important for me that they’re consistent during the tail-end of the campaign.

“That leads into pre-season, and there will be a feel-good factor with the players returning with a spring in their step.

“For the next couple of games, we want to put in consistent performances where we’re hard to play against, and be creative and expansive with the ball.

“We want all the players to perform to their maximum level; we’ve got to work harder and run further than the opposition.”