Toshack: We have to put it right

Cameron Toshack has called on Swansea City’s Under-23s to raise their game when the side take on Colchester United in the Premier League Cup at Weston Homes Community Stadium on Thursday (7pm).

The defending champions, who have produced an unbeaten run of five games in the league, suffered a set-back in their latest Group D match with a 2-0 defeat against Burnley at Fairwood on Monday.

The young Swans first defeat of 2018 means the development side must look to get a result in Essex this week to have a chance of progressing into the knockout stage of the tournament.

“The whole team are very disappointed with Monday’s result,” Toshack said.

“We sat back for far too long and let Burnley dictate the tempo of the game. Our form in the league would suggest we are capable of much better.

“The result showed that if we don’t match teams with our attitude and application you soon come unstuck.

“Our performance wasn’t that of the defending champions. It is now up to the players to put it right very quickly this week against Colchester.

“We had chances but you have to give credit to Burnley. They played a good game and deserved the win.”

The result leaves Swansea third in their group with a six-point gap between them, Newcastle and Burnley.

The young Swans must finish in the top two  of the group to advance to the knockout stage.

And despite Monday’s set-back, Toshack is confident the team still has what it takes to go further in the competition.

“The two games we have lost we have not performed well,” he said. “We have to hold our hands up to that. It is disappointing, but there is still a long way to go.

“We still have three games and an opportunity to progress in this competition. We must refocus and look to get result with decent performances if we want to retain this title.”