Thanks to everyone for the interest as ever. A quick update.
1.Duncan's breakthrough season at Alty was his last year at school as 17/18 year old. He chose Manchester to do his degree so he could stay with Alty. His "big season" was his first year of three year degree (18/19). At the end of that season Sunderland bought him. We transferred him to Newcastle Uni and they accepted the first year at Manchester as though it was their own. So last season was also his second year at Uni (19/20). This season will therefore be his final year at uni (20/21).
2. The football and the degree are not in conflict. He does the football as priority - missing most of the lectures - with agreement from the uni. He does all the studying in the evenings from books and video playbacks of lectures (if any). The football club have never had to play second fiddle to the uni, except for the January exams, when exam has priority if there is a clash. But that is a few days in Jan (just before FAC 4th round last year). The May exams happen after the season is over. Otherwise he is just like any other U21 pro footballer, doing an 0800-1600 day (plus game days) six days a week, eleven months a year. Whilst the uni does, in a sense, play second fiddle to the football, so it does for many students to drinking, partying etc which Duncan doesn't do! He got a First both years so far, so that doesn't seem to be a problem.
3. As for the football progress, he is doing really well. The gap between Conf N and Prem League is massive, and the few that make that jump (like Vardy at Leicester, Gayle at Palace) usually do so via League 1 or 2 then Championship then Prem League. Kevin Ball last year and Robbie Stockade this year have given Duncan incredible coaching to help him improve, and the sports science department have given him a personal fitness programme to get to PL level. He did well last season, but has really stepped up so far this season. Sunderland U21s are in the top league which, for example, the fabled Arsenal youth team is not. He has played Liverpool, City, Utd, Spurs and West Ham this season and been best player on pitch each game apart form Januzaj who was class above again. Gus Poyet (who didn't know him from Adam) has recently talked him up as future PL player to the local press. Lee Congerton (ditto re Adam) the Dir of Football recently extended his contract by a year to end season 2016. His fitness is unrecognisable vs Alty days, he remains quicker than most, though top defenders in PL are v quick, his dribbling, commitment and team spirit are great strengths. What is lacking at the highest level is end product which he is learning. He could have six or seven more goals this season, but the keepers just make the saves, he hits the post, or his crosses just don't find their man. So in discussion with the Club we have agreed that going on loan somewhere won't help this right now. Coaching with U21s and when possible First team is benefitting him most. He is catching up with the lost academy years as a teenager, whereas the academy players need to catch up on the playing that he got with Alty, so tend to go on loan.
4. He still has this season and next as an U21 and since most Prem League players make the grade after that time (how many 1994 birth year players are there who play regularly in PL - not many I would suggest) we are not worried at all. The opposite in fact. He started at 8 with Tyler Blackett at Utd and of the original group of 30 it is Tyler, Dunc and Tom Lawrence (sold by Utd to Leicester in summer) who have played for PL clubs. None of the other are still in football of any level. He learned a lot at Utd, loved Alty who are irreplaceable in his heart and education, and Sunderland have been brilliant for him, and continue to be with him. And he is getting ever closer to the first team squad - but results like today don't help paradoxically - as it is easier to bring young player into settled successful side than one under pressure.
5. So he is under no illusions about how much further he needs to improve to become a PL regular. And it might not happen for him. But Sunderland could not be a better place for him at the moment. And he still has a good chance, which for someone playing school first eleven just three years ago is quite remarkable. And wouldn't have been possible without his first team in red and white stripes.
I hope this helps. Happy to answer any questions.
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Duncan (again)
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