Chris Wilder spoke positively about Sunderland’s playing squad, after his side beat the Black Cats 1-0 on Friday night.
Sheffield United now sit in 1st place of the Championship table after a 1-0 win against Sunderland at Bramall Lane on Friday night, whilst the Black Cats remain in 4th.
Regis Le Bris sees his side’s 10-game unbeaten run in the Championship come to an end, and the game wasn’t without its controversy either.
Speaking after the game, Le Bris reacted to Chris Mepham’s red card for Sunderland, declining to comment on what was a debatable straight red card.
He and Chris Wilder appeared to have some stern words after full-time with Le Bris looking as frustrated as we’ve seen him so far.
But the Blades boss then went on to speak positively about Sunderland’s playing squad after the game, highlighting two players he thinks are ‘really good’.
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Chris Wilder hails Tommy Watson and one other Sunderland star
For the Black Cats, there weren’t too many standout performances against Sheffield United. But Sunderland fans were wowed by Tommy Watson as he earned an unexpected start.
Watson struggled for Sunderland in the draw at Millwall last time out and it looked as though he’d be benched for the game at Bramall Lane.
But Le Bris started the 18-year-old, and he was arguably the Black Cats’ best player on the night.
Speaking after the game, Wilder hailed Sunderland’s counter-attacking ability, and the likes of Watson and Sunderland teammate Patrick Roberts.
He told Sky Sports: “We kept turning the ball over and allowing them to counter-attack. And they have good players to counter-attack with Watson or Roberts, or the centre forwards and midfield players.
“They have got really good players. For them to be in the position that they are, they’re doing a lot of things right.”
Sunderland gem Tommy Watson attracting Premier League interest
In the summer, Brighton tabled a bid for Watson which Sunderland rejected swiftly. Now, in the build-up to January, there’s yet more interest in the Black Cats’ academy star.
After the game against Millwall, it was revealed that Spurs scouts watched Watson in action for Sunderland at The Den, with Crystal Palace and West Ham also keeping tabs on the teenager.
Watson’s current Sunderland contract expires in the summer of 2026 and so the club may be sweating over a new deal for the impressive winger.
Up next for Sunderland is a home game against Stoke City next weekend.