Elliot Dickman had nothing but praise for his side after their 2-1 victory over an experienced Derby County side on Sunday afternoon.
The under-23s were forced to make changes due to injuries, first-team involvement and the under-18s’ FA Youth Cup tie at Watford, but despite fielding a makeshift side his players stepped up and produced the goods.
Derby, who handed starts to Jason Shackell, Ikechi Anya and former Black Cat Darren Bent, made a bright start to the game, but the Black Cats soon took commend and a match-winning double from Dan Wright was enough to clinch victory.
And speaking after the game, the under-23 boss hailed the attitude and quality displayed by his players.
“I’m a little bit lost for words to be honest with you,” said Dickman.
“It’s more about the circumstance today because we’ve had the Youth Cup, players with the first team and lads who are normally with us are away."
He continued: “I’m really pleased that we were able to play so well and win the game.
“I think the lads have done really well today because Sam Brotherton hasn’t played a lot of football – he was on the opposite side of the world over Christmas seeing his family – but he came in and played 90 minutes which is a testament to the type of professional he is.
“Young Daniel Wright got both goals and he’s another one that hasn’t been in the side a lot over the season, and I thought Elliot Embleton was very good today, as were Tom Beadling and Brandon Taylor, but it was a real team effort.
“They fielded three very experienced players – two senior internationals – but that’s good for our lads to come across and be tested against, and maybe it’s lifted us a little bit and we’ve thought ‘right, let’s show them’.
“I can’t praise the side enough because after 10 minutes I thought they [Derby] were good, but after that I thought we were comfortable and played really, really well.”