Mark Jackson chatted with LUTV after his Leeds United Under-23s side played Wigan Athletic in the Premier League Cup.

The Whites fielded a much-changed side to normal, with most the usual squad away on international duty.

Ahead of the match, Jackson called on the younger players to impress, and despite the defeat, they certainly did so at York City’s LNER Community Stadium.  

“There’s a lot of positives for us tonight,” Jackson told LUTV after the match.

“It’s not the result we wanted in a cup competition, we never like to lose games. But, we talk about the manner in which we lose games and I thought there were a lot of positives from it.

“The young players on the pitch performed really, really well. They showed our identity and executed the way we play both in and out of possession, very well. 

“Some of the young players have shown their capabilities now at Under-23s level. That was always our plan entering this competition.

“We want to challenge the younger players and see how they handle the Under-23s environment. I felt they came in today and handled it really well.  

“We looked like a Leeds United team, how we worked, how we played, how we passed the ball and how we pressed.”

Plenty of fans were also in attendance at the match and offered encouragement throughout to the Whites, against a strong and much more experienced Wigan outfit.  

“It was a great environment for us to play in,” Jackson explained. 

“It’s great for the players to come and play in front of the Leeds fans as well, that’s what it is about, setting these environments and challenges for the players. 

“I thought they came through well today. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but the level we’re at now, it’s not all about the results. 

“It’s the manner of how we play, how we perform individually and collectively, and there were a lot of positives for me today.”