Sunderland under-23s go up against Stoke City this evening in the Premier League Cup to see who advances as group A winners.
The Black Cats currently sit in pole position, with 12 points from their five matches so far while the Potters know only a victory tonight at Eppleton CW, kick-off 7pm, will be enough for them to advance as winners.
A 6-2 victory over Peterborough United in their last group match secured Sunderland’s pathway through last time out, leaving them just needing a point to progress to the next round at the summit.
Entry to tonight’s tie is £3 for adults and £1 for over 65s and under-16s.
DICKMAN ON PROGRESS
“It’s taken some of the players a little longer to develop. They are still young men and it’s taken them a while but we’ve had a good few months on the training pitch and it’s probably taken one or two of them a little longer to meet the demands of what under-23 football is. The football serves a purpose because we’ve got a young group and I just think it’s about trying to continue the hard work we are doing."
DICKMAN ON CONNELLY FORM
“I am delighted for Lee because what we are seeing are the results of everything he does off the pitch. He understands the game and he has got a good understanding of the game. He makes intelligent runs, he finds space well and he is starting to be a lot more positive in the final third. Fair play to him, he is getting the rewards with the goals because he has done smashing all season to be fair to him.”
