Not good. I suppose it’s the nature of U21 football that you have high and low years. Lots for the lads to learn though and try to battle through the adversity.
They look small, the Southampton trialist who came on was the only player who looked a decent size. Worth noting that we've loaned out quite a few young lads this season; Tom Lavery, Rhys Walsh, Trey Ogunsuyi and then you've got Harrison Jones and Timur Tutierov who are training with the first team, in past seasons all of these would likely be starting a lot of games for the u21s.
Boston United 4-0 Sunderland U21 Sunderland Under-21s suffered a 4-0 defeat at Boston United in their second National League Cup Group D fixture on Tuesday. An own goal from Ben Kindon and strikes from Lenell John-Lewis and Jordan Cropper put the National League side into a three-goal cushion at the break. Kieran Donnelly added a fourth seven minutes into the second half, as Graeme Murty’s side fell to their first defeat in this season’s competition. Murty made one change from the side that lost 2-1 at Bromley last week, with Zak Johnson captaining the side in his return to the starting 11 - replacing Felix Scott. Boston took the lead in rather unfortunate circumstances, when Matty Carson’s low cross was bundled into the back of his own net by Kindon. The hosts continued to dominate and found their second only three minutes later. Boston capitalised on a loose defensive pass inside their final third and John-Lewis swept the ball under Isaac Allan. Allan produced a streak of magnificent saves to keep the Lads within two goals of their National League opponents. A superb double save denied close-range efforts from Cropper and Donnelly, before making another save on the stretch to block Jordan Richards’ goal bound shot. However, Murty’s side fell three behind in the 38th minute. After another great save from Allan to deny John-Lewis, Cropper blasted home the follow-up from a tight angle. Boston had a fourth not long after the restart, when Carson slipped the ball in behind for Donnelly, who poked a finish into the bottom left corner. Ben Middlemas almost added what would have been a consolation midway through the second half, but his volley from the edge of the area fizzled into the midriff of the Boston ‘keeper. Next up for the U21s is an away PL2 fixture at Burnley on September 26, 7pm kick-off. Sunderland U21: Allan, Holcroft (Neild 70’), Kindon, Johnson © (Trialist 45’), Jenson Jones, Burke, Middlemas, Lightfoot, Jaydon Jones (Scott 70’), Whittaker (Geragusian 70’), Moore (Dinsdale 90’) Subs not used: Metcalf, Hester Not that those who watched it will need reminding, but I felt sorry for the players tbh, they looked really down at the end , going to pieces wont help confidence,, half a game for the more experienced fringe players would not hurt imo.
21s go to Burnley on Friday night Could do with a positive result after a really poor start to the season
End of the cycle really isn't it. Most of the quality that came through that generation i.e. Rigg, Watson, Young and Cotcher have moved on up to senior footy or ****ed themselves over ala cotcher. Loving the look of the young lads coming through thou like struk, Geragusyan and Scott think they'll step up and be within a shout of the senior side in afew seasons.
I’m surprised Harrison Jones hasn’t been more involved with the 21s this season. Can’t see him getting near the first team bench now, he’s another who needs to be playing
Le Bris obviously likes what he sees but the lad really needs a loan move to the EFL to get playing senior football week in week out.
