Sunderland coach reveals why he ‘can’t wait’ to see the back of 2019 - and has this message for squad ahead of 2020

Elliott Dickman has admitted he ‘can’t wait’ to see the back of 2019 - but is keen to take the positives from a challenging year for the Black Cats’ second string.
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Sunderland’s under-23 side are yet to win in Premier League 2 since the start of the new campaign, and have won only a handful of games in all competitions during the calendar year.

There are, of course, mitigating factors - with injuries and loan deals meaning Dickman has been without some key players for large chunks of the year.

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And the under-23 boss believes his side haven’t got the rewards their hard work throughout the year has earned.

Sunderland Under-23s manager Elliott Dickman. Sunderland Under-23s manager Elliott Dickman.
Sunderland Under-23s manager Elliott Dickman.

“I can’t wait for January and the start of the new year,” admitted Dickman, speaking to the Echo.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the back of 2019 and moving into 2020, but I’m really encouraged with how the lads have played.

“I see them all the time and I think they’ve done well for most of the season.

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“I’m very privileged because I see these lads every day. They’re a great group and I love working with them.

“They work their socks off, they give their all and we just need to tidy up some of our defending and take more care in the final third.

“That’s where we need to make things better, and if we get that little bit more improvement we can start getting those wins.”

And while results have proved elusive for much of the year, there are clear positives for the under-23 side - not least the impact made by academy products on the first team.

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“The fact we’ve had a lot of lads over with the first team on a consistent basis is good,” added Dickman.

“As much as we want to win, and of course we do, I can see big improvements in the players and that’s all that matters.

“Whether it’s enough to go and play in the first team, the manager has to make that decision.

“But from our point of view, the players are definitely making progress.”