Regis Le Bris seems to be brimming with options in his Sunderland squad at the moment.
Given the lack of depth in Sunderland’s squad last season, things seem to have turned around dramatically this time around.
Although the defense is a problem due to injuries, the Black Cats have plenty of talent higher up the field.
Alan Browne, Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham are all hot contenders for a starting spot each week, while impressive starts from Romaine Mundle and Patrick Roberts keep the other forwards at bay.
Meanwhile, Eliezer Mayenda despite failing to bring the no.
Despite the outstanding quality in the front line, there is still one player in the U21s who continues to push for his place in the senior team.
A Sunderland youngster is looking for a way into the senior team
Mike Dodds was urged to give Tommy Watson a proper chance at the end of last season but he ignored the pleas while he has since been an unused substitute in Sunderland’s last two league games.
Watson has again played mostly for the under-21s, scoring twice and getting an assist in his last four Premier League 2 games.
The winger started in the Black Cats’ 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Friday and again impressed despite the loss.
Sunderland Echo reporter Jason Jones rated Watson a seven, writing: “Full of run and resourcefulness as ever – a constant threat down the left flank. With each performance he is making a stronger case for a first-team role.”
The 18-year-old was mostly on the left of the front three and may have been hoping for more minutes when Jack Clarke left.
However, it seems clear that Mundle has earned a regular spot in the starting XI, while Isidore’s arrival is likely to put him in contention as well.
Where is Tommy Watson in the pecking order?
Watson is certainly ahead of Jewison Bennett in the pecking order, but that still means playing time will be very limited given how well the team has been doing so far.
Given how poorly Sunderland fared, it was understandable why the striker was wanted in the squad last season. However, in a team that has really impressed so far, there really is no need to change.
Watson could probably be sent out on loan if Bennette stays, but there is still plenty of time for things to change. If someone gets injured, Le Bris certainly won’t be afraid to give them a chance.
The winger started in the Black Cats’ 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Friday and again impressed despite the loss.
Sunderland Echo reporter Jason Jones rated Watson a seven, writing: “Full of run and resourcefulness as ever – a constant threat down the left flank. With each performance he is making a stronger case for a first-team role.”
The 18-year-old was mostly on the left of the front three and may have been hoping for more minutes when Jack Clarke left.
However, it seems clear that Mundle has earned a regular place in the starting line-up, while Isidore’s arrival is likely to put him in contention.
Where is Tommy Watson in the pecking order?
Watson is certainly ahead of Jewison Bennett in the pecking order, but that still means playing time will be very limited given how well the team has been doing so far.
Given how poorly Sunderland fared, it was understandable why the striker was wanted in the squad last season. However, in a team that has really impressed so far, there really is no need to change.
Watson could probably be sent out on loan if Bennette stays, but there is still plenty of time for things to change. If someone gets injured, Le Bris certainly won’t be afraid to give them a chance.