U23s REACTION: JACKSON REFLECTS ON WBA DEFEAT

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

U23s boss discusses season opening loss

2021-08-17T09:49:05.325Z

U23s REACTION: JACKSON REFLECTS ON WBA DEFEAT

U23s boss discusses season opening loss

2021-08-17T09:49:05.325Z

U23s boss discusses season opening loss

Michael Jackson admitted that although it was a disappointing result, there were plenty of positives and learning points to bring away from a diffcult night in the Midlands.

The Clarets suffered a 3-2 defeat to West Brom in their opening Premier League Two game at New Bucks Head on Monday evening.

Albion, who scored twice through former West Ham, Hull City and Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass, were three goals ahead with five minutes left, until substitute Michael Mellon found the net, before Ethen Vaughan's cross was parried into the goal by stopper Ted Cann.

But it wasn't enough for the visitors to salvage a point and Jackson believes there is a big learning curve for the young side on the night.

The U23s chief said: "I thought it was a close competitive game, i think the first-half was quite even, both sides going at it.

Hugill ready for Black Cats test

"Then we just came off what we did and how we wanted to play, then towards the last 20 minutes of the second-half, we started doing it again.

"So, that's the learning from us, we stick to what we do, how we play, because it worked, but these lads are here to develop and learn & that's part of their learning.

"They will learn from that tonight, that consistency to keep on with what you're doing and if you come off it, you can get punished."

It was a young Clarets side on the night, with the likes of Bobby Thomas, Lewis Richardson, Anthony Glennon, Richard Nartey and Anthony Gomez Mancini all in and around the first team.

But it then opened the door for a handful of youngsters, with Sam Waller & Benn Ward making their U23 competitive debut and midfielder's Will Hugill second start for the group

"We have lads that are now training with the first team, so it has given the likes of Benn and Will in the middle, young Michael coming on and getting the goal.

"I thought young Will in the middle of the park was immense.

"The amount of running he got through and it is great to see and a good learning curve for him.

"Against men (like Snodgrass) in the middle of the pitch like that, he will learn loads from that but he is not fazed.

"It's great to see, it's what we want to see, this group pushing for the first team, then the U18s pushing to get into this squad, so overall there is a lot to take from tonight." Said Jackson.