Jamie Soule says the bond between Albion’s youngsters was evident in their 1-0 win against Aston Villa last time out - and the momentum generated can inspire another good performance against Newcastle United on Monday (ko 2pm).
The Baggies will qualify from Premier League Cup Group C if they can beat Newcastle for a second time in the competition after also recording victories against Hull City and Scunthorpe United.
And Soule says Albion will go into the game, which will be played at the Club's training ground, full of confidence following an ‘important’ triumph against local rivals Aston Villa in the league.
Soule said: “I think the Villa game was very important - a little bit more important than the usual games, it had a little bit more on it. I think it was down to the lads putting in a shift. We could have won by more, but then Josh made a great penalty save so it could have been a different game. But we dug in, we worked well as a team in and out of possession and we got what we deserved.
“I think the team have really bonded together and we do appreciate each other’s work and especially in a local derby like that, it means that extra bit more when you win a game which was so tight at the end. It was a great feeling.
“I thought I had a good start to the game against Villa. When we’re playing to the best of our ability I think it is quite hard to live with us as an attacking force and as a team I think it is important to keep that going. I feel really good and the lads are great around me which makes my job much easier when I’m scoring the goals. I’m really happy.
“Newcastle will be a well-organised team. The last time we played them it wasn’t easy even though we had a few chances to put away. They are a good side and they are organised. As a team we need to go there and be positive with the momentum we have gained from our last few games and kick on and make sure we win the game so we qualify for the next round of the competition.”
16 teams will progress to the knock-out stages of the Premier League Cup, with Albion certain to go through to the next round of the tournament with a win or a draw.