Elliott Dickman focused on the positives after Sunderland under-18s suffered a home defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
The young Black Cats returned to Wearside with high hopes of recording their first victory in the U18 Premier League after clinching points at Everton and Manchester United in recent weeks.
But while the youth team began the game in promising fashion, Callum Hendry broke the deadlock inside 13 minutes as Rovers asserted their authority.
Sunderland responded well but as Lee Connelly saw his effort flash across the face of goal, the visitors dealt a knockout blow on the stroke of half time through Brad Lynch who spun his marker and then lashed home.
A spirited under-18's returned in the second period, but Dickman’s side were unable to force the issue and Joel Steer capitalised as Rovers rounded off the victory in the dying embers.
Speaking to safc.com, Dickman delivered his verdict.
“The second half was better than the first period and we created some good chances and on another day maybe one or two of them would’ve gone in,” he said.
“We gave ourselves too much to do after our first-half performance.
“Conceding right before half time was a killer blow really and we made some changes to be positive but it just wasn’t to be.
“The first 10 minutes was pleasing but once they got their goal we wobbled a little bit and that's when we have got to show that kind of character and resilience we have seen before,” he continued.
“To be fair to the players they did smashing, we moved the ball well and we created some decent chances.”
