Sunderland under-18s' players must take responsibility for their efforts following their third consecutive defeat in the U18 Premier League on Saturday to Middlesbrough, according to Elliott Dickman.
The young Black Cats were downed 3-0 at Rockliffe Park despite producing a spirited display following Brandon Taylor's dismissal on 15 minutes.
While the lads contained and frustrated the hosts for large spells, tiredness paid dividends in the end as Boro scored three times in the final quarter of an hour.
Speaking to safc.com Dickman admitted while there were some positives to draw on, the defeat has again led him to rue lapse defending.
“It was always going to be a difficult even with 11 men,” he said. “To have a man sent off is disappointing but the rest of the team that played did fantastic to frustrate Middlesbrough for as long as they did.
“There is a good work ethic and togetherness within the group and they showed a bit of character, but it was unfortunate that we couldn’t see the game out for that last 15 minutes.
“They have definitely worked hard as a group and they made it tough so we can be pleased, but yet again it’s disappointing when you look at the goals we have conceded.
“We can only say it so many times because the players need to take responsibility and learn quickly,” he continued.
“The improvement needs to be better because we look at the willingness to stop a cross and the willingness to tackle.
“Maybe the boys were fatigued but I don’t like to make excuses because at the end of the day they know they have got to play for 90 minutes and they know what their task is and what we expect from them.”
