Nti: Sticking to principles key to 21s' superb start

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Albion face Barnet in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday night.

Luke Nicoli

2025-09-30T06:00+01:00

Shane Nti has started the new season in red hot form. 📷 by James Boardman.

Shane Nti has said being a 'close-knit team' was key to our under-21s' incredible comeback against West Ham last week and could be just as important in our Vertu Trophy match against Barnet on Tuesday night.

The Seagulls were 3-0 down at half-time against the Irons but got themselves back in the game thanks to quickfire goals from Nti and Joe Belmont. It was one-way traffic for much of the second half and the much deserved equaliser came five minutes from time when Hammers defender Ezra Mayers steered the ball past his own keeper.

“We’re a close-knit team and when things weren’t going well, we regrouped, got ourselves together, and in the second half it paid off,” said the in-form forward. “We started the game slowly but in the changing room at half time we agreed that if West Ham can score three goals in the first half, we can do the same in the second.

“We changed our shape a little bit, going to a back four, but we stuck to our principles. We got the ball out wide, where I thought we were really good in the one-v-ones, getting the ball into the box, and we finished our chances.

“We started the second half really quickly, got our first goal to put pressure on them, then got the second and eventually the third came. As a group we know what we’re capable of and it showed in the end.”

Shane is in the form of his life, having netted six goals from Albion’s opening six games this season. Yet the Londoner, who moved to the south coast at under-13 level following his release from Tottenham Hotspur, would rather focus on the work done by his teammates.

“I’m thankful to be in a team that is always pushing forward, always looking to create chances,” he pointed out. “I know that I’ll get opportunities in games, due to the players we have, so it’s a case of making sure I’m taking up the right positions to make the most of those chances when they come.

Shane Nti has scored four goals in five Premier League 2 games this season. 📷 by James Boardman.

“I’ve never started a season this well so I just want to stay in this good moment – which means just focusing on the next game.”

That comes on Tuesday night at Barnet, as the Seagulls kick off their Vertu Trophy campaign, and Nti is anticipating a difficult test against the League Two newcomers.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us – these games always are,” he added. “It’s important though that keep the momentum going because it’s been a very good start from us as a team this season. There may be periods when we’re not at our best, so we have to keep doing what we’re doing, keep working hard as a group, and hopefully we’ll get our rewards.”