There was one surprise package for Sunderland that performed well despite the scoreline vs Stoke City.
Sunderland lost out 2-1 to Stoke City at the Stadium of Light, a second loss in just two weeks against the Potters.
The Black Cats, whilst not quite having their first-team utilised, with Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham being named on the bench, still had several experienced heads in the side that didn’t quite live up to usual expectations.
Luke O’Nien looked off-the-pace for Regis Le Bris’ side, giving away a penalty for Stoke City’s opener in the game, whilst Dan Neil didn’t quite look up to scratch in the FA Cup defeat.
However, there was one Sunderland youngster that surprised many with his showing in the defeat, and it was one that highlighted plenty of promise in his game.
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Sunderland ace Harrison Jones showed plenty of promise against Stoke City
Le Bris decided to hand Sunderland youngster Harrison Jones his first senior start for the Black Cats in the home tie with Stoke City, a real sign of trust in the teenager from the French boss.
Whilst it was a difficult game for Sunderland, who struggled to really get going against the Potters, the silver lining was the performance by Jones, who looked first-team ready in the centre-of-the-park, putting on a ‘solid’ showing at the Stadium of Light.
His showing really showed his strengths in small doses, as, per SofaScore, he made 18 complete passes out of a total of 21 attempted, and managed one key pass. His solid display saw him win five ground duels, as well as an aerial duel against Stoke City.
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Harrison Jones showing shows that he is first-team ready
For a player that is yet to receive a loan spell elsewhere, and has only got one first team start to his name, it was certainly a big surprise to not see Jones out of his depth.
The game was very revealing in regards to Jones’ ability at this level, and following his 79 minute showing, it is clear that, whilst he may not quite be ready for first-team Championship level, he is very much ready for a loan spell elsewhere in the EFL to further his development.
It is a real testament to Le Bris that a player that has only been utilised in the youth set-up can come into the side and look strong in the centre-of-the-park, and there is no doubt that it is only the beginning of what we are set to see from Jones.