Gary Richards targets positive PL Cup start

Swansea City Under-23s' coach Gary Richards is targeting a positive start in this season's Premier League Cup as the development side launch their campaign away at Charlton Athletic (1pm).

Please note this fixture will not be available to view via SwansTV Live.

The young Swans travel to Dartford to face the Addicks in the opening match of Group A.

The development side are aiming for another impressive showing in the Premier League Cup this term having reached two finals and a semi-final over the past three years, while they lifted the trophy in 2017.

Richards’ men head to East London on a run of three consecutive victories in all competitions – beating Sunderland (league), Porto (Premier League International Cup) and Newcastle United (league) along the way.

And the under-23s coach wants to see his players continue their good form against the Professional Development League side.

“This competition has been good to us over the years and we’ve really enjoyed the experience of playing in it,” Richards said.

“We want do as well as we can again this year so, hopefully, we can get off to a good start.

“If you’ve put a string of good results together then you want to keep it going for as long as you possibly can. Although, we do know that it will be a difficult. 

“They’re a good footballing team who also like to get the ball down and play, so it should be a decent game.

“We’ve been really pleased with the effort and, for large parts, the performances produced by the boys. We should be going into the game full of confidence.”