Wilson happy with first second string strike

Winger Wilson opened the scoring early on for Peter Beardsley’s youngsters in their Premier League Cup Group A clash in Wales, though the Swans hit back after the break to take the points.

But the teenager – who has deputised for the injured Liam Gibson at left back over the past few weeks – caused problems for the hosts at their Landore academy base, and told nufc.co.uk afterwards that he’s “improving” all the time.

“It was really good to score. It just came to Tom (Heardman) on the wide right and I just thought that I needed to get into the box to try and get a chance on goal,” he explained. “It just came to me, I took a touch and hit it. It was just a chance and I was able to take it.

“I’ve been playing full back for a while, but sometimes I go on the wing. When you’re on the wing, you get more chances, and that was one today.

“I like to get forward and play in the final third a lot more – I don’t mind full back, but you don’t get forward as much as when you’re on the wing.

“I’m learning a lot positionally, about where I should be and things like that. I feel like I’m improving as a player and learning a lot more about the game.”

After Wilson’s well-taken strike, tap-ins from Botti Biabi and substitute Adnan Maric earned Swansea the victory.

And the youngster rued the missed chances that cost them dearly as the Swans moved level on points with the Magpies in Group A.

“I thought we did well in the first half and kept the ball a bit in the second half as well,” he said. “They didn’t really have an effort on goal until the crosses came in from either side, so I think that’s something I need to work on and the team needs to work on – stopping those crosses coming in.

“I thought we still kept the ball a bit in the second half, and we had a few chances which we should have taken.

“We’ll move on from that, and hopefully get the win in the next game.

Wilson has acquitted himself well since making the step up to become part of Beardsley’s second string, and says he’s been welcomed into the group with open arms.

“All the lads have made me feel welcome and have been really supportive, telling me what I should be doing, so they help me out when I’m on the pitch and off the pitch,” he said.

“It really helps when people are supportive when you’re playing, and they’ve made me feel really welcome in the group.”