Scott Gardner: We have looked solid defensively | OneFootball

Speaking to LUTV after his side were triumphant over Athletic Club B in the Premier League International Cup, Leeds United Under-21s boss Scott Gardner believes the team can still improve.

Alfie Cresswell and Logan White sealed the three points after the break, taking the Whites to the summit of the Group D standings.

“Pleased with the win and a clean sheet but overall a bit disappointed with the performance,” Gardner explained.

“I thought we could have been better with the ball which we showed in the previous game. We made a number of changes this evening but I expected us to be better with the ball. I think there is room for improvement.

“I think we fatigued towards the end of the game which meant we dropped back a little bit deeper than what we intended.

“But yeah, we have looked solid defensively in these kinds of games. We just want to be a bit more ruthless in the attacking third.

“I thought we should have been at least two goals up in the first half and maybe the performance with the ball could have been better.

“We have got to be better at seeing out games and we have got to be better in terms of closing out games early.”

Alongside goalscorer White, U18s regular Jacob Howard also impressed, leaving Gardner pleased with how the youngsters have integrated into the side.

“They have been great in the group. Clearly done really well with the U18s. They have earned the opportunity to come in and sometimes situations arise.

“An opportunity to start for Jacob, I thought he did really well and now he has got to kick on and maintain that level when he is with us and also with the U18s, and Logan always impacts the game. He took his goal really well.”