Brandon Taylor has revealed he is keen to harbour the positive energy from training into producing a defensively strong performance at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Mark Atkinson takes charge of his first Sunderland uner-18s match this weekend as his team look to put behind them thoughts of last week’s defeats.
Following a frustrating Wear-Tees loss to Middlesbrough, the youth team valiantly fought back against Newcastle United only for a late goal to see them knocked out of the FA Youth Cup.
To the under-18s’ credit, though, they once again responded with a dogged first-half display against Manchester United only for a lapse 10-minute spell to cost them in the second period.
Speaking to safc.com, Taylor has admitted confidence remains high despite the set-backs ahead of Saturday’s trip to Rovers.
“It has been strange not having Elliott Dickman taking the sessions as we've worked closely with him for a long time,” he said.
“But Mark’s a familiar face so we've all adapted well.
“Our previous few results have been very frustrating but when you play good teams and make sloppy mistakes as we have done you get punished.
“Defensively we need to be better as a unit but also take our chances when we get them.
“The mood has been positive, training's been to a good level this week and the boys are feeling fresh to go again against Blackburn.”
He continued: “We haven't had many clean sheets this season so another would be very welcome.
“As a defender you don't feel as if you've done your job right if we've conceded so hopefully as a back five we are together and can get that clean sheet that we are all wanting.”
