Byron Anthony | Momentum is key for U18s

Byron Anthony says momentum will be crucial for Swansea City Under-18s heading into their clash with Nottingham Forest.

Anthony’s side are looking to make it back-to-back wins when they welcome Forest for the Professional Development League South showdown at Landore.

The young Swans claimed their first victory in eight attempts on Wednesday with Michael Murphy’s strike sealing all three points against Colchester United.

The 1-0 success also secured the under-18s’ first clean sheet of the season as they kept out the free-scoring U’s, who arrived in the contest with 12 goals from their previous three games.

Anthony believes the win provided a significant milestone in his side’s development and progress.

And the under-18s coach has encouraged his players to replicate those performance levels on Saturday.

“We’ve taken a step forward together as a team,” he said.

“It’s really important you have that team ethic and togetherness. It showed on Monday.

“We outworked and outran Colchester, but they are the non-negotiables for me. They must be instilled in the game from minute one. 

“There’s a real honesty in the group. Even when they come into training, they’ve got to train like they play. If they do that, you’ve got a great opportunity more often than not.

“Momentum is key now. When you put in a performance that you’re proud of, that’s really important. If they can give that every single time they put on a Swansea shirt, they’ll do okay.”