First team squad is fairly healthy, just need a run of results now and it's sorted... What of the rest.. . Sunderland's development squad are making excellent progress so far, according to coach Stephen Clemence. The former Spurs man assists reserve-team manager Keith Bertschin in bringing through a new generation of young professionals in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North. The Black Cats enjoyed an excellent end to the 2010-11 season - just missing out on the title - and have begun the new campaign in promising form. A narrow defeat to Chelsea has been followed by league wins over Wolves and Swansea either side of a friendly victory over Newcastle, leaving Bertschin's side joint-top of their division alongside Manchester United. New signings including James McClean and former Arsenal man Roarie Deacon have gelled well with the existing core of reserve-team players plus up-and-coming youth talent to produce an exciting mix. "The boys have done ever so well," Clemence said. "We've had a new group through with the lads who've come up from the youth team. "They had a good year last year so we knew we had a good group coming through to add to the players retained from last year. "We had a good finish to last season so there was a bit of expectation on the boys from Keith and myself. "Up to now they've been fantastic. We were unlucky to lose at Chelsea on the first day of the season - we created so many chances and should have taken something. "Then to come back and win both of our league games since is pleasing." Several members of last season's title-winning youth side have progressed to the development squad this season, working with Bertschin and Clemence on a daily basis. And the latter says the young professionals are adjusting well to a new environment and a new challenge against bigger, more experienced players. "It's a big step up from youth team football," he said. "The way the boys are brought through the Academy is great. They are brought up in the right way. "It becomes more physical - you're playing against bigger, stronger men and some players don't get to grips with it straight away. "But the new players seem to be getting it and things are going well." The league campaign takes a back seat this week as the second string begin the defence of their Tote Cup title with a game against Gateshead at Eppleton CW on Wednesday (KO 7pm). And Clemence says the game is a different kind of test for his young side. "It's nice to play against your Chelseas and Manchester Uniteds on their training grounds, but the Tote Cup is totally different," he explained. "They'll be playing against a Gateshead team who will be wanting to put one over on us. "They're tough games for our boys. We won the cup last season and hopefully we can defend it this year." He added: "The game against Gateshead last year was one of our toughest of the season - a real energy-sapper. "I like Gateshead because they try to play football and we will have to play well at Eppleton if we're to get something." Reserves seem to be looking good again....And the kids... Kevin Ball was pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his under-18s as they recorded an away win at Bolton. The young Black Cats ran out 2-1 winners in Lancashire thanks to goals from Callum Hope and Nathan Thomas. Thomas netted a second-half winner after Bolton pulled level, and the visitors showed their mental strength to bounce back from a missed penalty to close out the win. Seems like everything is good hands in the home of SAFC...
Any clue how the Premier Reserve League North includes Chelsea or am I missing something? Otherwise - hope they do continue to show the promise - we have made some bloody good players through our youth system and a few quid when JH was sold on
