As Sunderland under-18s chase their first Premier League victory of the season, Elliott Dickman has urged his players to raise their game to skipper Adam Bale’s level.
The youth team are pointless after five match but left West Bromwich Albion last Saturday with renewed optimism following a valiant display.
While the young Black Cats were defeated 2-0 in the West Midlands, Dickman’s side have been working hard at the Academy of Light this week to turn their wrongs into rights ahead of Saturday’s U18 Premier League clash against undefeated Manchester City.
And speaking to safc.com Dickman highlighted Bale’s performances as a marker for the rest of the team to reach.
“Last weekend we played really well and we were really pleased with the performance because we played well up until a point,” he said.
“There were plenty of positives for us to take forward now.
“Adam has taken to the role of captain very, very well. His organisation skills across the pitch are first class and he has been a massive plus this season,” he continued.
“He has done great because he is a proper leader and he is going to have his A game with him again tomorrow.
“But some of the other players in and around him need to come to the party a bit more and make sure they are contributing as much as what Adam does.
“Some have done that in spells but we need to see it more on a consistent basis if we can.”
