'We need to be better'

Gary Richards admitted Swansea City Under-23s must look to improve following their season-opening defeat against Leicester in Premier League 2.

Layton Ndukwu’s goal on five minutes saw the development side lose 1-0 at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening despite opportunities to snatch a draw.

Viktor Johansson denied George Byers and Courtney Baker-Richardson while Liam Cullen’s rifled shot hit the crossbar.

“We are disappointed with the result,” Richards said.

“It is not good to start the league campaign with a defeat. The game showed there are areas we need to be better in.

“We sat off too much in the first half and gave them too much time and space.

“We had a better threat in the second half when we changed the system. The lads kept going but we did not have the quality in the final third.

“The positive is we kept in the game until the end, created chances and we limited their opportunities in front of goal.”

The young Swans, who finished fourth last season, return to league action at Landore next Monday when they face Derby.

And Richards says the side must aim to deliver an improved performance.

“We have to get back to work and look to be better next week,” he said.

“It is important we look to get back to business and look to put in a better performance.”