Jon Grey | We've always stuck to our way, and it's paying off

8th November
Academy

Coach Jon Grey believes Swansea City Under-21s are reaping the rewards for keeping their belief in their way of playing after watching them claim a fifth win in a row against Queens Park Rangers.

The young Swans secured a 4-0 at the Swansea.com Stadium to make it six games unbeaten at home.

A first-half penalty spot from Joel Cotterill gave the Swans the half-time lead. Further goals followed from Lincoln McFayden, Josh Thomas and Tarrelle Whittaker to wrap up the three points and send the Swans up to third in the Professional Development League table. 

"I'm really pleased, we had some real good moments in the game. We spoke in the dressing room afterwards and the only disappointing thing is that we've not scored a couple more goals," said Grey. 

"In the first half, we had some real good moments, but then let ourselves down with some sloppy play. We addressed it at half-time and, to be fair to the players, they put into a too what we talked about in the second half.

"We dominated in the second half then, and we went on to score some real good goals.

"Nothing has really changed [since the beginning of the season], it's been a project that we've worked on. We've wanted to concede fewer goals and score a few more.

"It's taken us a little bit longer than we thought it would, but all the hard work that we've put in on the training ground is paying off in the games.”

Under-18s goalkeeper Ben Hughes has stepped up in place of Archie Matthews and Remy Mitchell in recent fixtures, and has kept a clean sheet in every appearance with the 18-year-old making several crucial saves along the way. 

Grey praised the impact Hughes has had on the development team, and how he has slotted in at the higher age level.

“Ben has been brilliant, he's been patient with waiting for an opportunity to play, it’s come about since Archie Matthews has picked up an injury,” added Grey.

"He's grasped the opportunity with both hands. He's made some great saves, he kept us in the game in the first half. He made three really important saves in the first half, it’s a huge credit to him and Paul Wavell [head of academy goalkeeping] for everything he's done with him. 

"He's come into this side and he looks really accomplished, just as if he's been playing at this level for many years." 

Jon Grey