Elliott Dickman is hopeful Sunderland under-18s can pick up where they left off in 2016 when Shrewsbury Town visit Eppleton Colliery Welfare tonight, KO 7pm.
The young Black Cats return to action for the first since securing their pathway through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup when they defeated Burton Albion 4-1 in December.
Having signed off 2016 in fine fashion, riding high the crest of a three game unbeaten wave, Dickman has set his sights on extending their run tonight when Shrewsbury head to the north east and stand in the Black Cats’ way for a place in the fifth round.
Speaking to safc.com, the under-18s coach admitted he is primed for a physical battle but has high hopes of maintaining his sides pleasing run of form into the New Year.
“That would be great and that’s something we want to do, but we know it’s going to be a tough game against Shrewsbury,” he said.
“We have got to make sure we are prepared as much as we can be and then the Man City game is going to be another tough one.
“To be playing on Wednesday and then Saturday is a big ask for young players but when it’s against someone of the calibre of City it doesn’t get much tougher than that,” he continued.
“Hopefully we have learned a lot from our last few games, we are certainly going into this one in a good place with some good form and now we want to continue that against Shrewsbury and Man City.”
For your all you need to know guide plus ticket information ahead of tonight’s match, click here.
