Ethan Robson called for his team-mates to roll their socks up and produce a much-needed response following Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Jan Kirchhoff was included in a strong Sunderland under-23s starting XI, which also featured first-team regulars Donald Love, George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch.
However, the quartet could do little to prevent United as Demetri Mitchell sent Max Stryjek the wrong way from the penalty spot on 27 minutes before Scott McTominay’s deflected strike found the back of the net six minutes later.
George Honeyman did manage to reduce the arrears in the final minute, but it proved too little too late as Devonte Redmond had sealed the victory on 71 minutes.
The result has left Sunderland still chasing their first Premier League 2 win in 2017, but Robson has told safc.com a response is essential against Leicester City this Sunday.
“We had plenty of opportunities and if we had taken them then it would’ve been a different story,” he said.
“It was frustrating but we find ourselves in this position again and we have got to look to Sunday’s game now.
“Leicester is a big game for us now and its one we need to perform in so we get back to winning ways.
“We always try to look to the positives – at Blackburn last week it was a good game for us and we showed great character to get back to winning ways from the Burnley game,” he continued.
“We now find ourselves needing to respond again and this weekend we must deliver a performance that’s worthy of three points.”
