Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris handed a first league start to Tommy Watson in the game against Preston North End on Wednesday night, in what feels like a long-awaited full debut.
Tommy Watson has had to be very patient at Sunderland. But on Wednesday night he was rather unexpectedly named in the starting XI to face Preston, making his first league start for the club alongside Aaron Connolly.
The Sunderland academy man has been turning heads for the U21s in recent months. Fans are excited by his attacking threat with footage of Watson showcasing qualities similar to Jack Clarke.
Last season, 18-year-old Watson made one substitute appearance in the Championship for Sunderland, whereas this season he’s got five league appearances and one start to his name.
Watson was wanted by Brighton in the summer but Sunderland have big plans for the teenager, who showed some good touches against Preston.
Luke O’Nien hails ‘phenomenal’ Tommy Watson after first start for Sunderland
Watson started on the right of what was a quite makeshift front-line for Sunderland at Preston, with Connolly in the middle and Wilson Isidor playing out on the left.
Watson, a left-sided player by trade, had some good movement in the game, linking up well with fellow academy man Chris Rigg at times before being brought off in the second half.
Speaking live on Sky Sports after the game, Sunderland stalwart Luke O’Nien gave his verdict on Watson in his first league start for the Black Cats.
O’Nien said: “Tommy Watson got his first start today, which is good for him because he’s been phenomenal in training. I thought he did well.”
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Tommy Watson stats vs Preston North End
Watson saw a fair bit of the ball in the first half, at least compared to the likes of Connolly and Isidor.
The Sunderland teenager recorded 27 touches of the ball compared to Connolly’s 11 and Isidor’s 14 on the night, with seven accurate passes for Watson.
Watson also chipped in with four ground duels won (joint third-most for Sunderland), as well as completing one out of two dribbles on the night.
He also chipped in with a couple of defensive actions on the night too, recording one interception and one tackle.
Although not a standout debut as such for Watson, he certainly held his own, and should he be deployed in his more familiar left-sided role, with the more physical Isidor down the middle supporting him, we could see a lot more.