Jack Diamond has this message for Lee Johnson ahead of Sunderland's game against Shrewsbury Town

Jack Diamond is aiming to repay the faith shown in him by Lee Johnson since he took charge at the Stadium of Light – with Sunderland aiming to bounce back quickly from the Plymouth Argyle woe.
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The Black Cats return to League One action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Shrewsbury Town, and Johnson will want to see a big reaction from his players following the dire 2-1 defeat to Plymouth in midweek.

Diamond is one player to have benefited from Johnson’s arrival in the dugout.

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Reflecting on Johnson’s arrival, Diamond said: “It’s been refreshing.

Sunderland are looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.Sunderland are looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
Sunderland are looking to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

“It’s been nice to see that someone has some faith in me.

“It’s kind of up to me to repay him [Johnson] now. He’s put me out there and put his trust in me, so it’s been good. I’ve got a lot of confidence from it, so I’ve just got to keep going now really.

“We’ve got to bounce back after the defeat on Tuesday.

“Every game is important at this stage of the season – we want to get as many points as we can and go on a good run."

Sunderland’s head coach, speaking earlier this month, said: “I look for game impact with a young player.

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“If I see Jack making technical or tactical mistakes, it’s my job to work with him. If it’s an attitude error, then trust me, I’m coming down on him like a ton of bricks.

“All I can do is encourage young players like that, and hope they gain the belief and the confidence to flourish and bring their best to the party,” added Johnson.

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