Derby County Professional Development Phase Coach Rory Delap praised the character shown by his Under 18’s side during their 1-1 draw with Swansea City in their Premier League Cup opener.
Jack Stretton gave Delap’s and Justin Walker’s side the lead midway through the first half, only to be cancelled out by Kees De Boer’s half volley on the stroke of half time.
After suffering a 2-0 defeat in their previous Premier League – North match against Manchester United, Delap thought his side put last week’s disappointment behind them against Swansea.
Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, Delap was happy with his team’s performance and said: “I was pleased with it.
“The lads were disappointed with the result and the performance last week, but they have put it right and we did not expect anything less of them.
“Right from the first whistle, they looked like the team we have been working with through pre-season and early on in this season.
“We were unlucky not to win the game in the end.”
The Under 18s’ next tie in the competition is not until the 4th of November, where they will face West Bromwich Albion.
The young Rams next face Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League – North on Saturday 23rd of September, and Delap feels confident that his side can pick up three points in that match.
He added: “Individually, they were back at it today, which was really pleasing to see.
“It is what we have come to expect from this group. When we do have a little bit of disappointment, we know they will fight back and put a performance out there which was pleasing today.
“Now they have to kick that on and get some consistency together for three, four, five games in a row.”
Words by Jonty Colman
Images by Harry Marshall