Regarding left-wingers, the most decisive summer moment for Sunderland wasn’t losing Jack Clarke but keeping Tommy Watson.
The Black Cats turned down multiple Brighton bids for the teenage flanker late in the summer, with the highest bid thought to be around the £2m mark. No wonder the Premier League high fliers were knocked back, for not only did Sunderland have high hopes that the 18-year-old could break into the first team this season, they also knew he had the potential to be worth an awful lot more than the Seagulls offered.
Suddenly, Romaine Mundle—the player who so impressively took Clarke’s place when last season’s star man left for Ipswich—looks to have a fight on his hands to get back in the team when he returns from injury. If the last couple of games have told us anything about Watson, it’s that Sunderland are no longer dealing with just potential; they have another young star ready to nail down a place and make a first-team impact.
He was immense on Saturday against Stoke, not just scoring the two goals that ensured Sunderland brought their six-game winless run to an end but tormenting the Potters throughout. He hit the post, forced saves from the impressive Viktor Johansson and created chances for teammates.
“He works well and the system is well designed for him,” said boss Regis Le Bris.
“We can use him very quickly and play to his main strengths.
Le Bris knew, he says, as soon as he clapped eyes on Watson in training after taking charge of Sunderland in the summer that the youngster had the skillset to flourish in his system.
And crucially, he made that known to Watson, sitting down with the winger and mapping out his plans when Brighton’s interest emerged.
“We had many conversations,” revealed the head coach.
“The identity of the club and the squad is designed so he would get opportunities. We don’t have a big squad with many experienced players, so especially in this league with 46 games and with many options to play, I knew before he’d have opportunities.
“You have to deserve these opportunities but the squad is designed for that.”
What Le Bris was unwilling to do was rush the winger but Watson’s display at Sheffield United, where he was Sunderland’s best player, and his matchwinning performance against Stoke have proved he’s ready.
“Players always need time to adapt but so far Tommy has developed very fast,” said Le Bris.
“We need that kind of profile. I like it. When you have a winger with the ability to run inside and outside and cross, it’s a gift for a coach and a team.
“Now he will face the difficulties every player has to face, such as consistency and needing to defend as well.”
It was Stoke who were doing the defending on Saturday. The Potters stunned Sunderland with Lewis Koumas’ sixth-minute opener but the home side’s response was instant, Watson lashing in his first goal in red and white, and it was pretty much one-way traffic from that moment on.
Wilson Isidor missed a hat-trick of big chances in the first half and looks increasingly like a striker who needs a goal. He did have the ball in the net 11 minutes from time but was ruled offside and at that stage it looked as though the Black Cats were set for more dropped points and more frustration. But Watson capped his brilliant display with the winner four minutes from time, firing home Patrick Roberts’ cut-back.
A word for Roberts. This was his best display in a while and a timely return to form, particularly after his Sheffield United penalty disappointment. But Watson was the star of the show.
And he’s another English teenage attraction at the Stadium of Light.
“It’s good for the club, for me, for the families, for the crowd, for everyone,” said Le Bris.
“When we have good young players on the pitch, we are happy. It’s always good to connect with players who want to learn.”
