Under-21s coach Ian Foster also believes the Under-21s need to mirror the first-team...
Coventry City Under-21 coach Ian Foster believes it is 'imperative' the Under-21s side mirror the first team after the 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Sky Blues cruised to an impressive victory over the Seagulls at Ryton, with goals from Mathieu Manset, Adam Barton and Billy Daniels.
The City side included three trialists who all impressed during the performance with the Under-21s next fixture against Derby County next week.
Foster was delighted with the performance against the South Coast club and hopes the side gains confidence from the performance to kick on this season.
He said: "It was a really good performance from the side. I thought we were brilliant at keeping the ball and excellent at finding the right pass.
"I think the players are picking up the principles of how we play, the intensity we need to play at and we showed it for 90 minutes.
"The fitness the system demands can often be difficult to obtain for the lads who aren't starting for the first team but this performance shows they are really working hard in training.
"We don't have a development squad as such. We have lads who are involved in the first-team set-up and then we dip into the Under-18s group as well.
"It is imperative that we are able to play in the same style as the first team as these players need to be looking to challenge for starting spots."
Billy Daniels started for the Under-21s against Brighton but has already had involvement within the first team set-up, scoring three goals for the Sky Blues this season.
With plenty of young players already getting the opportunity under Steven Pressley, Foster believes the Under-21s need to ready to step up to the challenge and has praised striker Mathieu Manset.
He added: "We saw Billy (Daniels) play today and he has already had a lot of involvement in the first team set-up which is great to see.
"The Under-21s need to make sure they are always giving their best performance as that is the way to step up to the first team.
"We train at a very high intensity and they have shown that today against very good Brighton side.
"I thought Mani (Mathieu Manset) was brilliant throughout the match. It was probably the best we have seen from him and he took his goal really well as he was a constant threat during the 70 minutes he played."