Collins | ‘The overall performance was excellent’

James Collins has praised the performance which produced a 2-0 victory over Leeds United in Premier League 2.

The under-21s head coach has highlighted the displays of five first-team players who came into the starting line-up and set the bar for the performance levels of the rest of the squad. Collins also spoke on the form of goal scorer Tawanda Chirewa since coming in from Ipswich Town, Harry Birtwistle’s adaptation to the new system and the progress made so far this season.

On the performance 

“I thought we were outstanding in the first half. We really played to the structure and played how we set out to play.

“We were really intense without the ball, stopped them getting any build-up and I thought we were excellent with the ball. We probably should’ve been more than two up.

“The second half was always going to be different and a little bit more difficult. They tweaked what they were doing to try and stop us, and they did stop us at times.

“I still thought we had a lot of chances in the second half and could’ve put it to bed. Then they get a penalty and that could’ve made it interesting, but I still think the overall performance was excellent.”

On players dropping down from the first-team

“We had a strong group today, we don’t always have a strong group. One or two dropped down from first-team level, but that doesn’t always mean you win the game.

“Everyone has to play properly and do the off the ball stuff. They did that and I thought they got what they deserved.”

On a strong team not always guaranteeing victory

“I’ve been in development for a long time and it doesn’t always work that way. It can be messy sometimes, but credit to them.

“Credit to the culture and environment the first-team staff create that they came back, dropped in and did it properly and full pelt.

“That then gives our boys a lift because they’re playing with good players and they get a chance to enjoy their football. It’s a real help to our boys to learn off good players.”

On Tawanda Chirewa’s form since joining

“He’s come in and been excellent – he’s got the bit between his teeth. He had a bit of a spell at his last club where he knew he was leaving and he didn’t get a lot of minutes.

“He’s been itching to get back on the football pitch. Now he’s got it sorted, I can see a boy that’s hungry to be successful.

“He’s been excellent and I thought his performance tonight was really good. He’s having a right good go without the ball as well.

“He’s clearly got talent, but he’s working hard with his defending and his help for the team – that can only stand him in good stead.”

On Harry Birtwistle’s performance

“I can be quite hard on Harry and I’ve got a good relationship with him where I’m quite firm with him, and he needs that.

“I thought tonight was the best I’ve seen him play – I thought he was outstanding. He was super with his working going forward, transitioning between the two systems really well and I also thought his defending today was first-class.

“He can be really pleased with his performance, but then he’s got to build on it.”

On the progress being made

“What we can do is develop our players and improve our players – that’s the job. At the moment, we’ve got a relatively new first-team manager who’s brought in a new way of playing that is really good for our development.

“We’re having a good go at trying to do it and adapt to it. We’re not always getting it right but we’re working at it. That’s what it’s about for us.

“We’ve had a decent run of results. We lost to Liverpool but we had a good win at Notts County, won today, beat Palace and drew at Norwich.

“We’re on a good run but I’m sure we’re going to have spells this season where we have three or four defeats on the trot.

“Either way, we’re learning, we’re developing and we’re trying to improve the footballers we’ve got to be the best they can possibly be.”