Mark Atkinson is determined to get back to winning ways when Sunderland under-18s travel to Stoke City this afternoon.
The youth team take on the Potters in their final U18 Premier League match of the season before the league splits into the play-off stages.
With high hopes of finishing above Wolverhampton Wanders, Atkinson is keen to banish memories of last Saturday’s defeat at Derby County and return to a more positive outcome.
Speaking to safc.com, the under-18s lead coach admitted his players have more than proven their capabilities in the last month but will need to produce a complete performance if they’re to end the campaign on a high.
“The games have come thick and fast in the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“Last week we played midweek and again this week we played midweek against St Johnston and now we have got Friday’s game.
“It is an opportunity for the lads to finish off on a bit of a high and it is our last match before we go into the merits.
“We are looking to build on the performances we have had recently and just be a bit more consistent throughout the 90 minutes.
“That’s the challenge this week against Stoke City who are still in the FA Youth Cup,” he continued.
“It will be a good test and it is a challenging fixture to end on.”