Beardsley Wants Reaction From Magpies

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Peter Beardsley wants a reaction from his Newcastle United Under-23 side when they take on Swansea City at Whitley Park on Monday night.

United were beaten 2-0 at home to Sheffield United in the Central League Cup on Thursday afternoon at Little Benton, in a performance that underwhelmed after the Magpies beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in Crawley on Monday night.

Goals from Jordan Hallam and Callum Semple condemned Beardsley's youngsters to defeat in the subsequent midweek cup clash.

And, with the Premier League 2 Division Two visit of the Swans just around the corner, United's football development manager is expecting his charges to step things up after their setback against the Blades.

"They've got to react. We expected that at half time on Thursday, but they didn't really react, so the ball's in their court," Beardsley told nufc.co.uk.

"They've got to run around, they've got to have a good attitude, they've got to tackle, because Sheffield United certainly did that.

"We knew they'd be physical, strong and committed, and that's exactly what they were.

"Swansea will pass the ball around on Monday, and we like to pass the ball around, but there's still major parts of the game that you have to do, and at the moment - and certainly not on Thursday - we didn't do them. It's something they've got to resolve."

Goals either side of half time from the Blades' Hallam and Semple won it on Thursday, with Callum Roberts, Dan Barlaser and Luke Charman all going close without being able to drag their side back into the contest.

And Beardsley admitted that the display wasn't of the required standard that his team had achieved in the win over the Seagulls three days previously.

"That was a poor performance - there's no point trying to be nice about it. It was really poor," he said.

"I have no doubt that there was effort in there, but in terms of quality, there wasn't a lot. I don't know what it was, and I didn't expect it, certainly.

"In terms of preparation, they haven't done much physically since (Brighton) so for me, there's no excuse. The best team won.

"It's impossible to put a finger on it. It looks easy from the side, but we couldn't pass the ball ten yards. I wouldn't have thought anybody other than Sadio (Haidara) has come out with much credit.

"We're very up and down at the minute, but the good thing for us is the fact that we've got Swansea on Monday, and we'll have to turn around very quickly and get ready for that. They have to realise how important it is."