Match Day Thread Sunderland v Man Utd (U21) – Wednesday 13th October 2021 - KO 19:00

Sunderland host Man Utd (U21) in the Papa John’s Trophy

Last time out Sunderland beat Lincoln and Man Utd (U23s) beat Liverpool (U23s).
The Black Cats bounced back with an outstanding performance away at Lincoln City in the Papa John’s Trophy. Lee Johnson made wholesale changes to the team that lost at Portsmouth and a very young team looked very impressive against a strong Lincoln side.
Arbenit Xhemajli played 45 minutes for the U23s on Sunday, Lynden Gooch has missed the last few games but could make an appearance as he seeks to regain full fitness. Nathan Broadhead, has a hamstring issue and could be out of action for the next 2 weeks, whilst Jordan Willis remains sidelined.
Anthony Elanga underlined his burgeoning reputation with a match-winning performance for Manchester United U23s against bitter rivals Liverpool. The 19-year-old scored and laid on an assist as the academy earned a 3-0 verdict against ten-man opponents. Bjorn Hardley and Shola Shoretire were also on target for United as Liverpool substitute Dominic Corness saw red after the home side had already took full command at Leigh Sports Village.
Lee Johnson:
"I thought Dan Neil was top, top drawer. It's an art form the way he moves around the pitch and I'm so happy to be working with him and to be able to continue watching his development.
"It proves to me that the work behind the scenes is going really well.
"We talk a lot about wanting to be sustainable and to do that you've got to bring players through. At the moment we are doing that in abundance.
"I'm really grateful for the travelling fans as well because they made an atmosphere for our lads.
"Wearney is still buzzing in there to get the goal. You can see that Harrison (Sohna) still has a bit of physical maturation to do, but he's very smooth on the ball and you always want a left-footer in there.
"He had two good players around him in Alex Pritchard, who was excellent, and Dan."
Neil Wood:
"I was saying to the lads that they have had a tough schedule. In the last four weeks they have probably had two games a week and it's been really testing. Most of the lads that played have played a lot of minutes. They deserve it. They've worked really hard.”
"We've had some ups and we've had some downs, but that (result) was good. They played well and they enjoyed their football out there. For us to come away with a 3-0 win was brilliant.
"It's always one of those games where there's a big rivalry, no matter if it's first-team or from the youths up.”
Form:

Match Appointments:
Referee: ROSS JOYCE
Assistant Referees: Robert Atkin and Christopher Ward
Fourth Official: Simon Clayton

Team Line ups
Sunderland: Burge; Hume, Alves, Younger, Richardson, Sohna, Neil, Pritchard, Wearne, O’Brien, Harris.

Subs: Carney, Almond, Xhemajli, Taylor, Newall, Kachosa, Gooch.
Injured: Willis, Broadhead, McGeady, O’Nien

Man Utd U21: Kovar; Wellens, Mengi, McShane, Hardley; Svidersky, Savage; Shoretire, Iqbal, Fernandez; Elanga.
Subs: Mee, Bennett, Hoogewerf, Long, Gallagher, McNeill, Emeran
Injured: tbc

Betting Odds:
Sunderland 8/5 Man Utd. 8/5 Draw 9/4

My two pence:
An excellent performance at Lincoln with a very young team are clear signs of progress being made. I’m happy for the youngsters to have another chance to grab some of the limelight, and I wouldn’t be surprised if LJ plays the same team.
I’m going for a 2-1 home win.

Live Stream
https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video

Ha’way the Lads

 

Really looking forward to watching another Sunderland game without the pressure of the league.

I think the players enjoy it as well while they all get used to the way Johnson wants them to play.

 

Nice one mate. Looking forward to this one tbh. Very young side today for the U-23s so I expect a similar line up to the Lincoln game, maybe even another couple of the U-23s getting involved in addition to who played down there.
Johnson mentioned taking a hit on a fine with an eye on the Gillingham game so who knows how it will go.
If nothing else, hopefully it gets a few more interested in watching the younger age groups. Some good players coming through.

 

Hopefully Neil wont be risked

 

Ha - I was waiting for that.
I'd like to see him play but he's probably convinced LJ that he should be in the first 11 on Saturday

 

He should be one of the first names on the teamsheet in a proper match.
Id only play him if he was made out of Iron, which he obviously isnt so for that reason i wouldn't take an unnecessary risk.
Imagine him injuring himself seriously over a pointless cup thats set up for teams below the Championship where Premiership teams are allowed to play their kids against us to gain experience because we are all so useless and pathetic.

 

I thought this was off?

 

i used to pop to durham/eppelton regularly and the standard was pretty much as i expected with the odd flash of quality and some hard work mixed with typical mistakes, watching that lads v leeds game this afternoon i was surprised at the standard of play from both sides...yes the mistakes were still there but there were some lovely moves and some fine individual play (watch summervilles (leeds) equaliser and our second if you find it anywhere), also it was young lads v young lads but i would reckon a few of them could take the next step up and not look out of place.

kachose stood out for me along with wearne, would be happy to see those two lads get more game time in and around the first team.

 

Good stuff. Sounds like the whole 'philosophy' is filtering through to the younger age groups.
I'd have been down to the SoL this afternoon but had other commitments.

 

Not bothered about the result. But hoping for a win - play the bairns again!!

Bart

 

I hope Neil is in the stands watching. He needs to be in the side against Gillingham on Saturday, the important game this week.

 

RTB

Definitely play a very similar side to last week, those that are likely to start at the weekend should only do a max of 60 minutes... or 30 mins as a warm up for league game.

A win is always good, but as is the general opinion, the main prize is promotion. Fixtures already piling up.. so whole squad is needed for the league.

 

Nice one RTB, top contributions already and, great to get back to what we do best, supporting SAFC at all levels. OaU

 

These international breaks are dreadful ...

... Imagine if the World Cup became every two years

 

I’m going of course, but won’t be that fussed if we lost. I expect a very young team picked to represent us.

 

@RTB it's under 21's marra, i got corrected on it myself

 

We’re through with a win or a draw and win on penalties.

 

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Can’t think of his name

 

Tommy Smith.