Newcastle United U21s boss Ben Dawson has urged his side to try and treat the upcoming Wear-Tyne derby as 'just another game'. The young Magpies travel to face Sunderland in a Premier League 2 clash at the Academy of Light on Monday afternoon.
It will be Dawson's first match in charge since being confirmed as Elliott Dickman's successor, having led the U21s on an interim basis for their last three matches. The former first-team development coach believes derby clashes with Sunderland at all levels are always 'blood and thunder', but has called for his team to show 'nous' ahead of the encounter.
He told ChronicleLive: "I think for the younger lads, you don't need to stoke the fire with them. From the lads who come through from under-nines, you go watch the academy games against Sunderland. They're blood and thunder all of the time.
READ MORE: Newcastle have 'point to prove' in Sunderland derby after handball equaliser at St James' Park
"But when you get to this level, you've got to have a bit more nous. It's almost a case of it's just another game, you want them to be as competitive in every game. They're giving everything. It's then about playing with a little bit of quality when they get the opportunity."
Amadou Diallo's stunning injury-time strike earned Newcastle a 1-1 draw in their final Premier League Cup fixture against Bristol City on Wednesday afternoon. It was a dead-rubber tie for the hosts at Whitley Park, having already been knocked out of the competition with four group-stage defeats.
The young Magpies were denied a derby victory over Sunderland in the reverse fixture at St James' Park in October in controversial circumstances. Black Cats' goalkeeper Alex Bass scored an stoppage-time equaliser with a handball quickly dubbed the 'Hand of Cod', but Dawson does not want his side to use the incident as added motivation.
He added: "I've said to the lads before the game today [against Bristol City], you can't change what's happened previously. You can only change what's going to happen further down the line. If they're competitive like they were today, and if they keep building and improving the things we're asking them to do, results will take care of themselves."
* Newcastle United U21s return to Premier League 2 action on Monday afternoon with the Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland. You can follow all of the updates from Whitley Park as it happens here.
READ NEXT
Forgotten signing returns as Newcastle gain late boost ahead of Sunderland clash - three things
Newcastle United notebook: Hectic deadline day amid unexpected cash windfall after sell-on clause
Meet the Newcastle signing who debunks London transfer myth after 'no-brainer' decision
Newcastle can give Everton what they want with Anthony Gordon transfer after head was 'turned'
Newcastle get squad bonus with Anthony Gordon transfer but he won't play against Southampton
