Elliott Dickman believes Sunderland under-23s’ fixtures against Non-League opposition is helping his youngsters adapt to the physical demands of men’s football.
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The young Black Cats resume their pre-season campaign tonight when they travel to Croft Park to face Blyth Spartans, kick-off 7.30pm.
Having already played Sunderland RCA and Morpeth Town in a testing run of fixtures for Dickman’s young crop of players, he has told safc.com his players must learn to deal with the ugly side of the game better.
“The Blyth game might be for some of the lads who need some more game time from the first team side of things,” he said.
“So some of the players who have been with the first team might come down if they might need 90 minutes in their legs.
“But besides from that we will be looking for a similar response from which we saw in the second half at Morpeth.
“Our shape was good, we moved the ball well and we competed which is good.
“It is all about building and making sure we are physically able to deal with the demands.
“We want the players to build relationships in the team so the back four work better with the midfielder.
“And then making sure that every player knows what their role is when we don’t have possession,” he continued.
“The two games have been fantastic for our group of lads because we have been facing two men teams.
“They know the league, they have a good understanding of how things work and it is like having another referee on the pitch they are that vocal.
“They manage the game well these teams and our lads have got to start doing that and being more streetwise to deal with it better.”
