Elliott Dickman has reiterated the academy’s core values as Sunderland under-18s continue to search for their first win of the season.
The young Black Cats have endured a tough run in the U18 Premier League, so far picking up two points from their opening 12 games.
While the first victory continues to escape the youth team, Dickman has admitted it has been a huge learning curve for his group which is made up of a host of first-year scholars.
And speaking to safc.com, the under-18s coach refused to dwell on what’s already gone and has urged his players to digest to the club’s core principles and buy into what academy manager Ged McNamee has laid down.
“Like everyone they are going to have setbacks in their career,” he said. “Some of the lads have found it difficult to adapt to the demands of our academy.
“Ged wants us to install a certain ethos. The attitude and work rate has been ok in training but in games we have found it difficult.”
He continued: “Some of the teams we have played have had players who are big and strong and we have struggled to deal with that.
“That would be the main thing the lads have found hard. The physicality of the games has been challenging but I think they are getting used to our routine now.
“They are doing quite well and our training weeks have been very pleasing,” he continued.
“We are at a good level and now the aim is to just show a bit more determination to stay in games while trying to play in way Ged has laid down.”
