Elliott Dickman has warned his players about the importance of displaying the right attitude as Sunderland under-18s welcome Everton on Saturday.
The Toffees arrive on Wearside tomorrow as the young Black Cats continue their search for their first U18 Premier League win of the season.
With the young guns struggling to get their season up and running, Dickman has refused to be downbeat but insisted his players must raise their game and display the right characteristics.
“We had a good chat last Sunday and we spoke about character,” he said.
“To be honest they have done really well (since then) and the lads have done well in training.
“There has been a response already but we know the game on Saturday will be tough. We will need plenty of character, desire and determination.
“For me, that has to be there every week. Most weeks it has been but I just felt last weekend it was just a bit too easy for them to get back into the game.
“That is something I didn’t particularly enjoy and it was frustrating,” he continued.
“The players should have the right attitude all the time and that should be a given thing to get into this club.
“It should be the natural thing to be able to run around, be competitive and show that it means everything to play for this club, even at under-18 level.”
