Hat trick for the U21s tonight. Beat previously unbeaten Arsenal down there 1-5. We are struggling for goals we are struggling for them and yes its a massive step up but get him on the bench imo.
Gil you've just beaten me to it. Maybe to early to chuck him on for a full 90 in the EPL but surely he is worth a place on the bench or maybe some game time in the cup? We are shot shy and lacking in real pace up front and this lad is lightening fast and likes to shoot.
Duncan Watmore had a good game as well - scored and set up another 2 goals. I'd like to see him on the bench
Apparently the whole team played well but ya right RTB Whatmore has performed well in most games, give him a chance as well. The bairns might lack experience but show no fear and just go for it.
Mikael Mandron scored a hat-trick on his return to Sunderland’s development squad as the young Black Cats hammered Arsenal 5-1 at Boreham Wood. Sunderland were outstanding from start to finish and goals either side of half time from Duncan Watmore and Craig Lynch added gloss to a scoreline that merited the performance. Jon Toral replied for the hosts in the second half but Sunderland’s possession football from defence to attack was evident throughout. Mandron will take the plaudits, and rightly so, but the Black Cats’ team effort was near perfect. Coach Kevin Ball made six changes to the side that lost at Burnley the previous week with Watmore, Mandron, Liam Agnew, Tom McNamee, George Honeyman and Jordan Laidler all returning. The young Black Cats showed class from the off in their patient build-up and possession football with Agnew, Lynch and Laidler at the heart of Sunderland’s creative midfield. It wasn’t until the tenth minute that the visitors had an effort on goal as Mandron latched onto Lynch’s through ball and slid just wide from the corner of the box. The away side continued to keep the ball and dominate possession with McNamee, Louis Laing and John Egan all supplying assured defensive displays whilst also seeing their fair share of the ball. Sunderland were ahead just after the half-hour as Watmore cut in from the right and played a neat one-two with Honeyman before finishing coolly past Arsenal keeper Viviano. The Gunners almost replied immediately as Thomas Eisfeld found some rare space behind the Black Cats’ defence and rounded Joel Dixon before clipping the outside of the post from a narrow angle. Watmore volleyed over from 25 yards before the lead was doubled on the stroke of half time. The former Altrincham man weaved into the area and forced a fine save from Viviano before the Italian was quick to deny Lynch on the follow-up, however Mandron was on hand to nod home the second rebound from inside the six-yard box. Sunderland made it 3-0 after just five second-half minutes as Agnew found Watmore with a fine pass before the winger managed to find Mandron, who slotted home his sixth goal in six games with a fine finish. Arsenal got one back just after the hour as Toral drove home from the corner of the box following some sustained pressure from the hosts. The Gunners went close to a second minutes later as Tafari Moore pulled back for Chuba Akpom only for the striker to scuff wide from 10 yards. Lynch nearly added a fourth for Sunderland with a 25-yard drive but Viviano was on hand to palm the midfielder’s stinging shot away. Agnew, who orchestrated proceedings from midfield, found Watmore with a lobbed pass on the half-volley but the young winger steered over after cutting onto his left foot. The same pair combined minutes later with Agnew feeding Watmore on the counter but the summer signing couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to beat Viviano. Lynch made it 4-1 with a fine effort 15 minutes from time as he curled into Viviano’s bottom left hand corner from the edge of the area. Substitute Adam Mitchell nearly made it 5-1 in the 82nd minute as Laidler fed through the County Durham-born youngster who did well to bring down the pass before forcing a fine save from Viviano. Akpom drove a late shot over after good play from Toral but it was the Black Cats who would finish the match in style as Mandron sealed his hat-trick with a glancing finish from Watmore’s cross. Nice to see the squads playing all the same way. When the youth player do step up, they wont have to learn a new way to play footie
Well what do you know? We've a development squad full of kids who know how to play football. Why haven't they been developed this way up till now? I'm very excited about this.
From the little I've seen of Watmore I'd love him to have the last 25 mins of any match. He has skill and- above all- balance. A star in waiting. You heard it hear first! x
Playing them at any stage against Chelsea will not do their confidence any good at all, cup or not. There time will come, however they need to be physically stronger than the previous graduates.
Honestly still can't make up my mind if monty is a genuine SAFC fan (although a bit of a fruit loop) who was ahead of the curve with Watmore, or a mag wum who may have stumbled upon a star in the making while trying to slyly mock our summer transfer business.
He makes me laugh, even more so sinse I discovered he visits most of the other boards with his single post lunacy That reminds me. Need to see if he's checked in with Chelsea yet
