Any of you who watch the reserves etc.....has he got what it takes?...cos it sounds promising... Sunderland defender John Egan has been named as the Republic of Ireland's Under-19 International Young Player of the Year for 2011. The Cork-born centre-back picked up the honour at yesterday's Football Association of Ireland (FAI) International Football Awards in Dublin, capping a memorable 12 months which have seen the 19 year-old sign professional terms on Wearside and captain Ireland's under-19 side to the semi-finals of the European Championships. Egan, who has also captained Sunderland's reserve team throughout the 2011-12 campaign, has made strides towards first team contention for the Black Cats this season and was an unused substitute during Barclays Premier League games against Manchester United and Fulham in November 2011. He spent last month on loan with Npower Championship side Crystal Palace, making two starts for Dougie Freedman's side.
He and Laing could be our future cb partnership IMO, both are tall strong composed CBs with good distribution.
Louis Laing had a day to remember over the weekend as his Wycombe side ran out 5-0 winners over Hartlepool at Adams Park. The 18-year-old was making his seventh appearance for the Npower League One side since joining on loan in mid-January. Wanderers were three goals ahead at the break and went on to secure a comfortable win, with Paul Hayes and Stuart Beavon both scoring twice and Gary Doherty also chipping in with a goal. Billy Knott continued his impressive spell with AFC Wimbledon by bagging his second goal of the season to help his side to a 3-3 draw at Crewe. Knott opened the scoring after just seven minutes before seeing the Alex roar into a 3-1 lead. But there was a twist in the plot as Sammy Moore pulled a goal back nine minutes from time before Christian Jolley netted a dramatic equaliser in the final minute. Elsewhere, George McCartney made his 29th appearance of the season for West Ham as Sam Allardyce's side drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace. Trevor Carson made his second debut for Bury in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient, while Michael Liddle endured a tough first outing for Accrington as Stanley went down 2-0 at League Two leaders Swindon.
Knott is another good one, has a sweet left foot and both his goals have been long range, creative midfielder played on he wings.
I've only been to a couple of reserve games this season so it is hard for me to judge the lad, but he does look a very good prospect..
