Paul Bryson has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged his players to throw a spanner in Derby County’s promotion bid.
This Saturday, Sunderland under-18s welcome the Rams to the Academy of Light, kick-off 1pm, on the back of a disappointing loss to West Bromwich Albion.
But after plenty of work on the training pitch and conservations off it, the youth team boss has called on his players to keep battling.
Speaking to safc.com, Bryson knows what to expect from Derby, admitting it is up to his players to make life difficult for the visitors when they come to Wearside.
“Derby’s young team a top, top side,” he said.
“There’s no doubt about that. We’ve played them in the Premier League Cup and the league, and I’ve got to say they are the best side we’ve faced this season.
“It will be a really, really tough challenge but we have just got to keep working really hard and see what players we’ve got available.
“With the under-23s playing on Friday night, we will be without some of the experienced players.
“If those players could play it would make a hell of a difference but that’s what we are faced with and we’ve got to deal with it.”
He continued: “It’s up to us to try and throw a spanner in the work to take some points off them.
“The lads always give everything; they work hard all week and their challenge this weekend has to be to disrupt Derby and look to pose them some questions.”
