We've got another young LB Ollie Bainbridge out on loan at Kilmarnock at the minute, so Compton might have to wait for his loan chance mate.
This bit, after the corner, Crompton having a bit of aggro and the cameraman goes walkabout. Meanwhile the man bun with the whistle loses control.
The man with the Bun never had control imo, especially regarding the Boro grapplers who made full use of, his shall we say , leniency, from the off. Although having said that the slightest retaliation was swiftly punished with free kicks to the opposition. My overriding worry was that he would send one of our players off in the second half the way things were going by half time. Happily with the introduction of Kelly we slowly got on top and for a spell a big win looked possible. The 3 /2 scoreline was a triumph of sorts under the circumstances although a bigger margin would have been possible with our usual line up . Bennette and to a lesser extent Poveda did themselves no harm other than having to play Watson in an unfamiliar position to accommodate them. The less said about our two CB's the better, other, than that we all know one can play a whole lot better , but I'm not so sure about t'other. Sunderland AFC Under-21s picked up their first win of the Premier League 2 season with a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough. Tommy Watson continued to impress with an early opening strike before Hazeem Barke equalised for the hosts moments later. Despite a late goal from Middlesbrough's Eric Hamelburg, Jewison Bennette's second-half double sealed the three points at Eppleton Colliery Welfare. Graeme Murty named Dan Ballard in his side as the defender continued to build fitness levels. Luis Hemir led the line with Ian Poveda also keeping his place after last week's draw against Newcastle. The Lads took the lead with 23 minutes on the clock after a continued spell of attacking possession. Harrison Jones linked up with Luis Hemir before the ball dropped to Watson to apply the finish. Middlesbrough were level almost immediately after the restart. The hosts' number nine, Barke, equalising from close range. Murty was forced to make an early change as Caden Kelly replaced the injured Elias Lenz. Further changes were made at the break with Dan Ballard making way for Luke Bell. The Black Cats regained the lead at the mid-way point of the second half. Watson was again involved as his deflected effort fell to Bennette to pick up the pieces and slot past Nathan Fisher. A first win of the campaign was wrapped up ten minutes from time as Bennette slotted home his second of the evening, getting on the end of Tutierov's drilled cross. Despite the Boro pulling one back through Hamelburg two minutes from time, the U21s held on for all three points and return to Eppleton next Monday to face Liverpool in league action. SAFC: Chibueze, Lavery, Ballard (Bell 45), Anderson, Crompton, Lenz (Kelly 40), Jones, Watson, Poveda (Tutierov 55), Bennette, Luis Hemir Unused subs: Cameron, Mitchell
One of the scouts at my club was at the game last night (hes based in Newcastle) and i was just on a call with him n he was raving about Watson last night. Couldnt stop praising the pace he played at and has watched him quite a few times and loved him in that no10 role. The chief scout was on the call with us, so hes now going to watch Watson further as well!! I told him to keep our hands off him as hes got a brilliant future at the Sunderland
From what I’ve been told, he turned down a very generous and serious offer from Brighton to sign here. Will be interesting to see whether he goes out on loan this year (either this window or in January) and if so, to what level.
Watson should be playing mens footy next season on loan. He will do well at a good footballing L1 side imo (i know that would appear to be a contradictionin terms ). Got all the tools to be a massive success. He's the next one off the production line after Rigg. Then we are on to Crompton, Middlemass and H. Jones. The future's bright. The future's Red n White.
I've been saying this for a long time, and Kelly and Crompton are not far behind, but loans don't always work out, Mayenda for a recent example, and watching Young at Salford recently it could be a similar story . I have often wondered is their any other way forward ?
I’m still quietly confident Young gets in as number 1 at some point this season. He’s competing with a 35 y/o who’d do very well to stay fit week in, week out.
Loans dont always work out in terms of minutes etc but they can work for other reasons. Mayenda for example seems to have gone away and realised he has to work really hard to make it at us, appartently at hibs he didnt work hard enough in training. I remember Watmore was the same at Hibs, seemed to come back with a bit of fire in his belly to prove he could play at a higher level Its always about the personality of the player tho. Loans can be amazing and can really kick start players careers. If they stay too long playing u21 football theyll not know what its like to play senior football. If they are hugely talented, Neil n Rigg for example, then its fine as their talent will get them into the 1st team early. I think once they hit 20, that is the latest they should be playing senior football. Compton looks good but he is a strong lad at U21 level, he needs to learn how to play against big senior strikers. Kelly is technically really good but again i want to see him play against players thatll boot him and out muscle him Watson i am fine keeping as i think he will be around the 1st team squad more n more this season. Plus i want him working with RLB on the out of possession stuff as thats where he struggles
