Gary McSheffrey says his U18s side will learn from their mistakes after a 4-0 home defeat to Mansfield Town.
On Mansfield defeat:
“We started slow and looked lethargic. We trained well and at a good tempo this week and the build-up to the game was good so that makes our start to the game difficult to understand.
“We finished the first-half the strongest with some good entries into the final third and some two v ones out wide which is always where the space was going to be because they play with a diamond.
“Our outlet was always going to be our wide strikers. We were unlucky not to score. We started the second half okay, but then that five minute period again where the lads crumbled. The lads need to show a lot more mental strength and stand up and be counted.
“Before you know it, we’re four down in the space of ten minutes which can’t keep happening. We’ve done that a couple of times at home now. They are not dealing with the pressure of going a goal behind very well. We need to be braver to get on the ball more and show more courage.
“We prepare better than that. It is disappointing we could not take that into the game.
“We need to learn from our errors and build off them.”
On training with Richie Wellens’ squad:
“They trained at a good intensity on Friday against the first team and you just want them to carry that same intensity into our game.
“The lads were buzzing, because it is the first time they have trained at Cantley Park with the first team. The first team was happy to see them around and the staff was brilliant.
“It was a good experience that will only help them improve.”
On injury news:
“Owen Scattergood has fractured a bone in his foot so he will be out for a month up to six weeks.
“I’m disappointed for Tavonga Kuleya, who came off injured in the second half. He was just growing into the game and was one of our better players. It looks like his shoulder has popped again. The same happened to the lad last year.
“I feel for him. Same with Tom Henson who is out with a hamstring injury having come back from an ankle injury.
“The injuries are building up a little bit and none of them are quick-fix ones.”