Evans: Cup run a reason for optimism

4th May

Swansea City Under-23s’ midfielder Keiran Evans believes the club’s run to the Premier League Cup semi-finals provides reason for optimism at the end of a tough season.

The development side saw their bid to reach the final of the competition for the third year in a row ended at the Liberty Stadium, as Fraser Hornby and Bassala Sambou gave Everton a 2-0 victory in the semi-final.

The hosts were not helped by losing three players to injury before the break, with Mason Jones-Thomas, Ben Cabango and Marc Walsh all hit by injuries.

But advancing to the last four once more – in a season there the Swans have been relegated from the top-flight of Premier League 2 – means there are reasons for optimism as they look to bounce back to Division 1 at the first time of asking.

“I take a lot of confidence from reaching the PL Cup semi-final, it’s disappointing to get knocked out but to get this far is a great experience and it does build the boys’ confidence,” said Evans.

“The young players who have come through this season have experienced it now, so after a good break we can build on that in pre-season and come back stronger ready for next season.

“It’s a difficult tournament and to get as far as we have done the past three seasons shows how hard the team has worked.

“The coaches have been really good with us tactically and we’ve dealt with a lot of different things in this cup.

“Having got to the semi-finals three years in a row is a testament to the team and coaches and hopefully we can build on that next season.”