Elliott Dickman has shared his disappointment as Sunderland under-18s’ wait for their first Premier League win continues.
Things were looking up for the youth team after Sonny Best had combined well with Jack Diamond to put the Lads in front at home to Derby County on Saturday.
However, the Rams hit back after the midway interval and set about rewriting the script as they camped deep into the Black Cats half.
Sunderland withstood the intense pressure well but eventually Derby made the breakthrough in the last nine minutes through Jaydon Mitchell-Lawson.
The visitors continued to pile forward and with time all but up, Jahvan Davison-Miller smashed home from close range to leave Dickman stunned.
Speaking to safc.com, the under-18s coach admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow after doing well to keep Derby at arm’s length for most of the game.
“I was disappointed because we are better than what we showed,” he said. “The standards need to be better and we need to be braver in and out of possession.
“We need to be braver and while conditions weren’t great they are the same for both teams. Ultimately, I think we threw the game away which was disappointing because we felt we could’ve won it.”
He continued: “It’s not easy because it comes down to desire, character and application. Character is the big one because the lads have to stand up and be counted.
“They have to take responsibility and make sure they don’t let their opponents get the better of them. One or two of the lads allowed the opposition and that shouldn’t be happening at any level.”
