Jon Grey | Plenty of positives despite West Brom defeat

Swansea City Under-23s coach Jon Grey insists there were plenty of positives to come from last night’s narrow 1-0 defeat by West Brom at Landore.

George Harmon’s strike proved the difference in the Premier League 2 Division Two clash as he rounded off a wonderful team move with a terrific strike in the 64th minute.

Playing their first match in just over three weeks, the development side produced an encouraging performance against their in-form opponents, who arrived in South Wales having won their last four games in Premier League 2 Division Two.

The under-23s enjoyed lengthy spells of neat possession while demonstrating plenty of creativity from set-pieces but were just unable to break down a resolute Baggies defence.

The back four also looked solid and Grey felt they were unlucky not to record a clean sheet for their efforts.

Nevertheless, the under-23s coach says that, in terms of the efforts of his players, he could ask for no more.

“We were a little bit rusty; you could tell we hadn’t played a game for a little while,” he said.

“But there were lots of positives to take from it. We kept going right to the end against a strong side. West Brom are a physical and athletic team, but our boys matched them and, in the dying moments, had them hanging on to their lead. We just couldn’t quite find that equaliser. 

“At times, we felt that we went forward a little too quickly and tried to force balls where they didn’t need to go. That played into West Brom’s hands because we didn’t feel like we circulated the ball and moved them around enough.

“But when we did, we managed to get the ball into wide areas and deliver some great crosses into the box; we just couldn’t get on the end of them.

“With the way the boys defended, I thought they deserved to have a clean sheet. But they scored a fantastic goal that was worthy of winning any game.

“Overall, I’m happy with the performance. I couldn’t fault the boys’ work rate and effort; they gave everything during the game but just couldn’t find the equaliser.”