Cullen calls for U23s to show character

Liam Cullen has urged Swansea City Under-23s to pick themselves up following their late 2-1 defeat by Everton in Premier League 2.

The 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes as the young Swans surrendered a 1-0 lead before defender Luke Garbutt equalised from the penalty spot.

The Swans were reduced to ten men when Brandon Cooper was shown a red card for a foul before substitute Shayne Lavery struck a last minute winner.

The result was the U23s' second consecutive defeat following Monday's 2-0 reverse against Leicester leaving the side with just two wins from nine league games.

But Cullen insists it is important that the side move on quickly and respond in a positive manner against League Two side Forest Green Rovers in Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy tie.

“The performance was an improvement on Monday, but there are still things we must improve on," the forward said.

“Any team that is ahead going into the last 20 minutes and concedes two goals in the way we did is going to be gutted coming off the pitch.

"Obviously, we all think we should have kept the lead and not lost the two goals the way we did. But on another day, decisions go your way and we come away with the three points.”

“All the boys are gutted but we need to try and get this week's defeats out of our system.

"We must now show our character. Pick ourselves up, recover well and hopefully bounce back on Tuesday by going to Forest Green and fighting for a win.”