MICHAEL Appleton has warned his Under-18s side they must improve their "mental strength" after slumping to a 3-0 defeat against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

The home reverse was the Baggies' fifth in six FA Premier Academy League (Group C) clashes and the Albion coach was disappointed by his troop's showing.

"It's got to a situation where I've questioned a few of the boys just lately," said Appleton.

"On Saturday we were flying for 35 minutes, competing and looked the better team.

"As soon as we conceded a goal all the poor traits came back into some of the players.

"I was looking around the team and didn't see any strong characters in it.

"I spoke to a lot of them after the game about that.

"We were missing a couple of strong characters through injury but it was still disappointing.

"They need to understand how mentally tough it is to be a footballer.

"That's the biggest part of the game.

"It doesn't matter if you do great things in training, if you can't do it against opposition who really want to stop you, you've got no chance.

"A lack of mental strength has been a real Achilles heel for the team this season.

"It hurts me as a coach when my team gives up.

"But that motivation and application has got to come from within.

"The players that don't find that are going to get left behind by the ones that do.

"We've got to stick together and roll our sleeves up."

ALBION (4-4-2): Allsopp; Hurst, Manchester, Mason, Hanox; Knight, Nicholls, Bruce, Saied (Samuels 55); Morrison, Lake-Gasin. Subs not used: Lloyd-Weston (gk), Clarke.

Women

Erin Hicken led the way with a hat-trick as Albion ladies walloped Coseley Town 3-0 in the County Cup yesterday.

Hayley Moore also netted a double to add to Shamara Parkes, Laura McQuilkin, Chanelle Hooper and Jemma Iommi strikes.