Harrison Jones was handed his first league start for Sunderland on Saturday. But it was a tough afternoon for him and his teammates.
As many may have expected, Regis Le Bris gave Harrison Jones his first start in the Championship for Sunderland after the Black Cats secured their spot in the Championship play-offs.
The 20-year-old started in the centre of midfield making what was his third Championship appearance of the season, after making his league debut against Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the year as a second half substitute.
He couldn’t help his side win against Swansea City though. Ben Cabango scored the only goal of the game as the Black Cats suffered a disappointing defeat at the Stadium of Light.
Gary Bennett says Harrison Jones ‘struggled’ against Swansea City
Fans were glad to see Jones given a run out with these next few league games ultimately leaving Sunderland with nothing to play for, accept from building momentum ahead of the play-offs which is of course crucial. But Le Bris didn’t make as many changes as expected.
These Sunderland players have seemed desperately in need of a break for some time now but Le Bris keeps on picking names like Dan Neil who hasn’t impressed of late, and Tommy Watson who’s £10million move to Brighton has been confirmed, so he won’t even be here next season.
And Jones struggled too on Saturday. Speaking on Total Sport after the game, Gary Bennett gave a concise but clear verdict on his performance, saying: “He did OK. But he struggled because the team struggled.”
Harrison Jones’ stats for Sunderland against Swansea City
The defeat keeps Sunderland in 4th place of the Championship table. On Saturday lunchtime, Sheffield United in 3rd lost a third-straight game in the Championship, as Chris Wilder’s side fall to five points outside the top two.
Who Sunderland end up playing in the play-offs remains to be seen. But Le Bris may not give Jones a look in for those games as he showed against Swansea that he still has a way to go.
| Statistic | Jones vs Swansea City |
| Minutes played | 59 |
| Touches | 18 |
| Passes completed | 13 |
| Pass completion | 87% |
| Possession lost | 3 |
If Sunderland remain a Championship side next season then Jones could make like Chris Rigg and get a load of first-team exposure, and hopefully become an important first-team player as Rigg has done this season.
Sunderland next play Bristol City on Friday.