No better or worse than most of them tbh., it was like men against boys from what I could see which was not a lot.
He looked a class above the rest and came through it ok fitness wise. I thought Joe Anderson did well also. Harrison Jones and Tutierov also showed up well. The game was played at 100 mph and credit to Halifax they never gave up taking the game to us!
Sunderland Under-21s suffered a 2-1 defeat to Halifax Town in the final Group B fixture of the National League Cup. Despite a Trey Ogunsuyi opener, goals from Zak Emmerson and Jo Cummings sealed the exit from the competition. A dominant start from the Black Cats saw the opener come after 19 minutes. Ben Middlemas fired the ball across for Ogunsuyi to apply the finish. Timur Tutierov looked to double the lead just moments later with an effort from the tight angle, that rolled inches past the post. Town equalised after the restart as Emmerson cut onto his right and whipped his shot past Dan Cameron. Murty's side continued to push for the winner with Jaydon Jones striking the the foot of the post with 15 to play. Tutierov went close once again forcing Nat Ford into a smart save. The winner came two minutes into injury time. A freekick into the box bounced around before Cummings volleyed home at the back post. The Lads return to action on Monday night with a trip to Wolves in the Premier League Cup. SAFC: Cameron, Lavery, Anderson, Seelt (Kindon 60), Jenson Jones (Bainbridge 60), Middlemas, Jaydon Jones (Whittaker 75), H.Jones, Tutierov, Walsh (Geragusian 75), Ogunsuyi Unused subs: Chibueze, Neild, Scott
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Out of the current u21 squad, which players have the best chance of making it here?
Ogunsuyi is the obvious one. I always liked the look of Caden Kelly when I saw him for the u21s and obviously Harrison Jones has had 1st team exposure. Not on that list, but I though Ben Crompton looked very good for Tamworth against Spurs.
There was a lad in midfield who stood out in a couple of recent games. I think it was Jayden Jones but may have been Ben Middlemas. Looked good technically and also imposed himself physically more than our other lads due to being bigger and faster. Might have a chance with us.
Yeah Middlemas impressed me the last few games. He was the highly rated one a few years back but seemed to have stalled a touch in recent years. Hopefully he can push on, as we need a player coming through in midfield with a bit of physicality in my view. Really tough to predict who'll come through if any, though. You'd have to put Ogunsuyi and Jones in the mix due to their first team involvement. Beyond that, who knows? You can see promising elements in all of them without any of them truly standing out as definites. Will be tougher and tougher to find a pathway for these lads if the first team keeps improving, too. On the likes of Kelly and Crompton I'd guess they end up leaving the club this summer. Nice enough players but too old to believe in them developing sufficiently to make it to the first team.
Our of them only Trey imo I do like the look of Bell, but not sure if he will be good enough with where we want to go I think quite a few will have very good careers in the lower leagues but we are pushing for teh PL and I can't see many of them playing at the top of the championship Lightfoot got some minutes for the u21s against Leicester, really like the look of him and he could have a chance if he keeps developing. Only 16 I think.
Some good posts in response to this. I agree Trey looks most likely with Matty Young to be the next couple. I think you’re honestly looking at the 18s after that, but having said that sometimes lads will rapidly develop or will get a lucky chance due to injury and not look back. Jensen Jones having a really good season but lacks a bits of physicality.
This time last year I was confident Bainbridge would make it here, not so sure now after the disastrous loan move. Still like him though. Lenz has the pedigree and the physical attributes to make it but he may be a touch too slow for the English game. Really secure on the ball though. I like the look of Walsh, needs a loan move in the next 12 months. Trey is the one I have the highest hopes for.
Trey is the obvious one. Some of the younger members of the squad like Jensen Jones still have time to develop. The club seem to rate Geragusian and Lightfoot, who are making the odd appearance for the 21's, so they might be the next ones to watch.
