Preview | Swansea City U23s v Charlton Athletic U23s

Liam Cullen believes that Swansea City Under-23s’ intense high-pressing game has been instrumental in their recent upturn in fortunes.

The development side are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions heading into today’s Premier League Cup clash with Charlton Athletic at Landore (1pm).

Please note that the game will not be available to view via SwansTV Live.

The young Swans are aiming to improve their form in the competition, having lost two of their opening three games in Group A – although three points against the Addicks would move them up to second place.

Nevertheless, they will be in a buoyant mood following Monday’s commanding 5-1 victory over Middlesbrough at Landore, in which Cullen scored his first hat-trick at under-23 level, as well as the previous week’s 1-0 success at Stoke – making it two wins from two in 2020.

Jon Grey’s side produced a performance of great intensity against Boro; pressing high up the field and winning the ball back in dangerous areas, before launching quickfire attacks on the visitors’ goal.

Top scorer Cullen, who has now netted 11 times for the under-23s this season, revealed that interim coach Grey has placed a specific focus on that area of the development side’s game, and he feels it has been key to their impressive recent form.

“It’s been a good start to the year for us,” the 20-year-old striker said.

“The main focus has been our work off the ball; our pressing and the intensity at which we do it. Everyone presses as a team and I think that makes a massive difference.

“We have enough quality to beat any team when we’re at our best; attacking at pace and running in behind teams.

“Jon tells us every day that you expect a Swansea City team to chase all over the park and work their socks off.

“As long as we stick to that, I think we’ll do alright and, hopefully, we can keep building as a team.”