Dawson’s troops are game for derby battle
NEWCASTLE United coach Ben Dawson will urge his youngsters to “play the game not the occasion” after they were drawn away to League One Sunderland in the Checkatrade Trophy.
The North East derby will take place in January at the Stadium of Light, but Dawson’s troops have already tasted victory after beating Sunderland on penalties at the venue last season in the Premier League International Cup.
United have beaten Doncaster, Grimsby and Notts County in the competition so far and knocked Macclesfield out on penalties at St James’ Park.
Reflecting on the draw, Dawson said: “When we played against Sunderland’s Under-23s in the (Premier League) International Cup last year, it was ‘play the game, not the occasion’, and this will be very similar for us.
“We’ll approach it like we do any other game.
“We’re not going to do anything special or drastically change anything just because it’s Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
“We’ll be really consistent in terms of how we approach it and what we do in the build-up to it.”
But Dawson admits it’s a game he and his players are looking forward to, he told the club website: “Obviously, they are doing really well at the moment in terms of their league form, and it’ll be a really tough game.
“I think, as much as we’d love to play at St James’, we’ve been a little better away from home.
“I think the lads are really looking forward to it.
“As much as it’ll be a tough game, it’ll also be a great experience for a young group of players, and one that they can savour.
“I’d imagine it’ll be a decent crowd, as well.”