Hello folks,
Not sure if you're interested or not, but one of your old boys is doing very well. Duncan Watmore scored twice for Sunderland U21 against Chelsea the other day, to keep Sunderland top of the U21 Premier League table (less said about the senior squad the better).
Highlights are below (you have to register, but it's free).
http://www.safc.com/news/reserves-and-academy/2013/october/highlights-safc-u21-2-chelsea-u21-2Duncan has settled in great and has definitely impressed for the development squad; the fans who follow it often rave about his pace and touch. He seems to have a level head on his shoulders too and speaks well in front of the camera. The story goes that his main point of negotiation regarding his move to the North East was that he wanted to transfer his degree to Sunderland University; given that players are often perceived as overpaid, idiotic Prima Donnas, this impressed a lot of people.
I'm not sure whether it's too early for us to see him getting a Premier League cap this season. I certainly hope so as I think he could be a breath of fresh air, but the senior squad is a little bloated at the minute and maybe it is best not to rush him into a team which is desperately low in morale. In the long term, Sunderland's precarious position in the league could work to his advantage. Relegation to the Championship next season could result in a cull from the senior squad, opening up opportunities for the development squad. The development squad's success in the U21 league highlights the quality in the Academy, so the club would be crazy not to look there first for the players to lift us back into the Premier League.
Whatever happens, it looks like you've nurtured a lad with a huge potential. I just hope we don't squander it.