Cusack on Character

Two Luke Jephcott goals - bringing him to three for the tournament - turned around a 1-0 half-time deficit, and gave the young Pilgrims a 100% record from two games played. 

Cusack said: "This was a fantastic outcome; the way the boys applied themselves against a very physical side. We said at the start about how football doesn't necessarily build character - it reveals it. After having gone a goal down against a strong opponent, and to an excellent finish, we showed that character in the second half and I thought we deserved the victory.

"The manner in how we scored as well you can see this squad becoming more galvanised as the days progress and they're beginning to trust each other and believe that they can actually apply themselves at this tournament.

Cusack and his managerial team have used 17 of their squad of 18 at some time in the first two matches. Several of this young squad are conceding two years in age and six or more inches in stature to their opponents, too.

Aaron said: "These boys are in an academy which means they are good players and we have to trust them as coaches. It's all well and good the players trusting each other but as coaches we believe in them and I think if we instill the believe in them then they feel they can really apply themselves and feel valued.

"It shows that we are willing to be patient with the ones that have yet to physically mature because we are aware that they are technically and tactically they have a good understanding. We are not afraid to throw them in there and an example was when Kieran Rowe was sent on in the last 15 minutes, when we had just got back to 1-1, and he was involved in our winning goal two minutes from time which fully justified our decision.

"We have Brentford in our next game and we are used to playing against English teams and we know they will be very physical, very direct and they will possess a lot of quality as well. The boys are in the changing room now and they have a lot of belief; confidence is a massive thing in football and is the ingredient that can set the precedent for going on and being successful or, perhaps, not doing as well as you would hope. 

"We will approach the match as we have in the last two games and train later today but whatever happens the boys have been fantastic so far."