HOT PROSPECT Duncan Watmore will be given his opportunity to impress in Sunderland’s Premier League run-in.Winger Watmore has been the stand-out figure for Sunderland’s Under-21 squad this season, with a host of Football League sides enquiring about taking the 21-year-old on loan. Sunderland have resisted those offers, believing Watmore’s development is best-served by continuing to train at the Academy of Light. But Watmore, fit-again after missing two months of action with a broken leg, has not been given the chance to add to his solitary first-team appearance – a substitute’s outing in last season’s FA Cup third round win over Carlisle. However, that could change with Sunderland’s creative options currently thin on the ground. Emanuele Giaccherini is out for the season with an ankle injury, Will Buckley is struggling with a knee problem, while Adam Johnson remains suspended by the club amidst an ongoing police investigation. But Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, who included Watmore on the bench for the defeat at Manchester United nine days ago, believes the ex-Altrincham wideman will get a chance at some point. Poyet told the Echo: “I think he was becoming an important player and then he got injured unfortunately before Christmas. “That was a big disappointment because he was out for nearly two months, plus. “He’s only had a couple of games of 20, 30 minutes in his recovery (for the U21s). “But it (his Premier League debut) will come. “We’ve got Ricky (Alvarez) back and Jack (Rodwell) and Watmore. “Sooner or later, he’s going to get his chance.” Poyet admits that he had considered introducing Watmore to the fray during the second half at Old Trafford, when Sunderland were struggling to mount any sort of attacking threat after being reduced to 10 men. “He was the perfect player to have on the bench (at Manchester United),” added Poyet. “I was thinking about playing him and putting him on because we needed someone to take the ball from our half to their half. “Looking at the bench, the only player who could do that was Duncan. “Duncan was an option, and away at Old Trafford would have been a nice way to make his debut.” Watmore is expected to feature for the U21s tonight, when Sunderland host West Ham at Eppleton CW (7pm).
That injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Id like to see the kid given a go late on in a match against tired legs. Ive not seen a great deal of him but from what I have hes quick and direct. McClean had a great impact when he first came into the team maybe this lad has a part to play in helping us stay in the premier league
I watched him play right back for us pre season against Hartlepool and he looked class. I'd love to see him get a chance, and make an impact like McClean did when O'Neill bought him into the team.
As mentioned this sort of thing has happened before with McClean (and last season Wickham done the business) so maybe the lad is the one to keep us up.
Its a no brainer bring him off the bench and get Whicks into the middle to support Defoe when we need a goal.
Hopefully his leg is fixed properly and he can get a few decent run-outs over the next 4 months. Love to know what he's capable of against top sides.
Let's hope if he gets his chance we all back him to the hilt and give him the support he will need. I can imagine he will show no fear and get at least one goal in the run in. I just hope he isn't too greedy and his decision making is better than Connors when it comes to passing rather than shooting
Don't begrudge them mate. When she passes her test the insurance premiums will give you a heart attack!
From what I've heard he suffers from a similar mentality, always holding on to the ball too long. Never seen the lad play in the flesh though so it's all hearsay, could be bollocks. Alternatvely he might just be trying to do it all himself to get in the first team picture, but once he's there would use his head a bit more... only one way to find out!
