Journal report May 2021 makes interesting reading Last summer saw a series of new recruits brought in, with the likes of Josh Hawkes, Ollie Younger, Will Harris, Mitch Curry, Bobby Beaumont, and Vinnie Steels added to strengthen Elliott Dickman's squad. And they finished fifth in Division 2, qualifying for the play-offs where they beat Stoke City in the semi-final, only to lose out in a penalty shootout in the final against Crystal Palace. The Sunderland performance that must be next season's benchmark, according to Kristjaan Speakman. Not exactly going to plan so far .
Aye, 2 of those players have left the club, Harris is out on loan and the others don't get a game for whatever reason. And the coach has left to go to the mags. It doesn't seem like the most organised setup tbh.
Maybe should have played in this game or better still Defoe given a run out, would lift the kids . Alright talking the talk but losing becomes a habit , and confidence drains away, no good at any level imo Sunderland Under-23s were beaten by Stoke City in the Premier League 2 Division 2 at Eppleton. A double from Douglas James-Taylor and an early goal from Emre Tezgel sealed the victory for the Potters. Stoke controlled the first half and took an early lead, as Tezgel opened the scoring for the away side in the 11th minute. The visitors doubled their tally in the 28th minute as Zak Johnson brought down a Stoke player in the box, and James-Taylor tucked the penalty away. Carney was called into action on numerous occasions in the first half, making some great saves to deny Stoke a further advantage, most notably a brilliant double-save 34 minutes in. The Young Lads came out stronger early in the second half, with Patrick Roberts stealing the ball on the half-way line and driving towards goal before playing in Caden Kelly, but his shot went wide of the right post. Tom Scott found Roberts again on the right wing, with the winger cutting inside and unleashing a curling shot just past the far post. Carney made another brilliant save to deny James-Taylor as the two players continued their battle in the second half. James-Taylor eventually got his second of the game in the 82nd minute to secure the points for Stoke. The U23s have a two-week break before their next fixture as they travel to Nottingham Forest. Sunderland AFC: Carney, Trialist A, Kachosa, Kelly, Johnson, Trialist B, Roberts (Gardiner 63’), Scott, Gyimah, Taylor ©, Trialist C. Subs not used: Richardson, Jones, Fieldson, Burke.
Nottingham Forest U23 3-0 Sunderland AFC U23 Sunderland Under-23s suffered defeat on Monday night in the Premier League 2, as three goals in the final 20 minutes saw Nottingham Forest run out winners at Notts County’s Meadow Lane. Julian Larsson’s penalty 70 minutes in opened the scoring, before Riley-Jay Harbottle and Aaron Donnelly added further goals to gloss the scoreline for a strong Forest side, whom the young Lads defended well against for much of the contest. The match saw Vinnie Steels make his return from injury to play 45 minutes in Nottinghamshire, with Ugonna Emenike and captain Sam Wilding also in from the start. An open but ultimately goalless first half ensued, with Jacob Carney pulling off several strong saves from Larsson, Donnelly and Will Swan. Cameron Jessup’s crucial block also denied Larsson with the final action for the break. Loic Mbe Soh also came close with a side-footed effort over the crossbar, whilst for Sunderland, Caden Kelly whipped a shot just wide in the opening stages before Steels tested goalkeeper George Shelvey from a tight angle. Chances dried up slightly in the first 20 minutes of the second half, although Kelly and substitute Nicky Gyimah both stung the hands of Shelvey, and Forest’s regular counter-attacks on Meadow Lane’s large pitch were a challenge for the Lads as the game wore on. The hosts eventually broke the deadlock when Ateef Konate sprinted in behind and was brought down by Henry Fieldson inside the area – Larsson’s powerful penalty finding the left-hand corner despite Carney’s hand to it. It was two soon after, as Harbottle’s header from a cross from the right-hand side found the top corner. And Donnelly made it three as he cut inside onto his right foot and curled an effort just inside the far post. The young Lads will now look to recover and get back to winning ways next Monday, with a Wearside night under the lights looming at the Stadium of Light against Burnley. SUNDERLAND AFC U23: Carney; Kachosa, Jessup, Johnson, Emenike (Fieldson 55’); Wilding ©, Sohna (Gardiner 80’); Trialist, Scott, Steels (Gyimah 46’); Kelly. Subs not used: McIntyre, Jones.
Something wrong about the direction the academy is taking this year, The whole set up seems to lethargic, few senior players being used, odd scheduling, the players seem to need a lift and some are going backwards , when I hear senior staff saying winning is not that important, I start to worry , it needs a re-think as these lads deserve better than this. Carney and Kelly are the only exceptions to a general malaise imo.
