YOUTH: They took the information on board

“We were pleased with the result,” he said. "We changed formation slightly and went narrow, because we’re creating a lot of chances without scoring many. We wanted to get more players into the 18-yard box. 

“The lads did it very well, they stuck to the game plan and, from a coaching point of view, we were pleased they took on board the information they'd been given. We had loads of chances so I think confidence was high and they were enjoying the game in general. 

“We were the dominant team from start to finish and we had long periods of good possession which we were converting into good goal scoring chances. It was very pleasing that we kept it up for the full 90 minutes.”

“We have been conceding silly goals, which has affected them, but on Tuesday it didn't seem to bother them too much because they were playing so well,” he added. “It was huge for the lads to get the victory. “We've been well aware of the fact we've been conceding goals and possibly losing games we should have been winning. 

“The lads are always talking about where they are in the league which we understand from their point of view. As coaches we want performances rather than results, but their objective is to go out and win as many games as they can. 

“The confidence has been low because they know they should have been winning more games than they have been. It was a huge boost and the way they won the game was pleasing because it was attractive attacking football.” 

“You could see in the lads straight after the game that a big weight had been lifted off their shoulders,” he commented. “They performed well and got three points, so they're buzzing. It's all about consistency so they've now got to replicate that and take it into the game against Tranmere.

“It's difficult when we have to come back and explain to the gaffer that the lads played really well, only to then have to tell him they got beat. You can only say that so many times, but our job is to get the lads to perform to a certain level. Hopefully from there they will go and sign a professional contract.”

On the approaching decisions to be made on the second years, he said: “We expect the second years to be nervous at this stage of the season and we help them as much as we can.

“It's the type of pressure they're going to have to handle all the way through their career. They want to secure their first professional contract but, if they do that, they then need to try and secure another professional contract. They'll get pressure all the way through their career but it’s a bit more difficult to handle for them right now because they're young lads. 

“It’s all about learning how to deal with things and I'm still learning at 53. I don't think anyone can be complacent and think they're tactically and technically sound. You've got to throw as much information at the young lads as you possibly can because it's a massive learning curve at the moment.”

On the Welsh U19 call-up for keeper Rhys Williams, he said: “We had more good news this week when we heard he had been called up. It’s the second one we’ve had recently, with Joe Breen getting his Ireland call up, and it shows the lads that there are always rewards to be had if your work hard.”

And on the Tranmere game, he said: “Tranmere is always a tough game. They're a good side with a great work ethic and they've got some good players. They're one of the top teams in the league, but when we played them down there we played very well and conceded a late goal. 

“I don't think the lads will be intimidated because we matched them in the league and beat them in the FA Youth Cup.”

United - Williams, Hurley, Robson, Groves, Pearson, Salkeld, Holt, Taylor, Breen (Watson 84), Bradbury (Brown 84), Hall (Egan 64). Sub – Bacon.

Goals – Hall, Breen.