Elliott Dickman has urged his players to give everything they have when they host Wear-Tyne rivals Newcastle United in the FA Youth Cup tonight (KO 7pm).
The youth team welcome the Tyneside club to Eppleton Colliery Welfare as both prepare to lock horns in an attempt to progress to the quarter-finals of the historic youth competition.
With impressive victories over Burton Albion and Shrewsbury Town helping the young Black Cats advance to the last 16 of the competition, Dickman has now set his sights on prolonging the lads’ cup run.
However, speaking to safc.com the under-18s coach admitted there is no need to over-hype because his players know the importance of the match.
“It’s pretty important and it’s vital we do the best we can and hopefully get through,” he said.
“The fact we are doing ok in the FA Youth Cup is pleasing and it has given the players something to look at and move forward with.
“If we can get through this tie then we are into the quarter-finals which is a good achievement. You would like to think the lads will be up for it because they know it’s an important game.
“It’s going to be down to who wants it the most on the night and hopefully we will show that more than them,” he continued.
“The big thing for us though is not to over-hype the game because the players are quite intelligent and they understand the importance of the game and the situation."
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