Mark Atkinson has admitted tomorrow’s opponents are irrelevant in terms of what he expects from his side.
Sunderland under-18s travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 1.30pm, with one goal - to respond to their opening day defeat to Liverpool.
A disappointing 6-1 loss on home soil has left Atkinson with much to ponder over the last week as preparations for their trip to the Black Country have progressed.
But speaking to safc.com, the youth team boss has refused to get drawn on the challenges Wolves will provide his side, admitting much more needs to come from his own players.
“The message is the same as what I told the players straight after the game last Saturday,” he said.
“It was a disappointing performance against Liverpool and one that’s difficult to accept.
“We understand that everyone can have their off day in terms of their passing or finishing but there was a lack of application and that’s hard to accept.
“We need to play with a lot more intensity and purpose, both with and without the ball. This is before we can even talk about the tactical and technical side of things because we’re talking more about the mental side of things.
“The Lads need to be giving it their all in every session and every game because that’s what it takes to progress here or at any other club.”
He continued: “Saturday’s performance is a massive learning tool for them.
“That’s what they have got to use it as. They have got to learn from it and understand that however they’ve approached the game or played it is wrong and they can’t afford to do it again.”
