Sunderland have relied heavily on their young talent since Kyril Louis-Dreyfus arrived on Wearside.
The heavy usage of teenage talent last season proved to be their downfall, but overall, Sunderland’s team has looked exciting and full of fresh blood.
The Black Cats look set to reap the rewards of trusting in the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Dennis Cirkin, who have both enjoyed stellar starts to the campaign.
With Patrick Roberts looking back to his usual self and Jack Clarke yet to leave, it has so far looked to prevent any further attacking prospects the opportunity to force their way into the squad.
Sunderland fans were calling for Tommy Watson to be given a chance in the second half of last season, with the winger eventually making a cameo appearance on the final day.
However, Regis Le Bris’ arrival and improved performances all round has seen him demoted back to the U21s.
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Tommy Watson has looked ‘a real threat’
Graeme Murty still has full faith in Watson though and is looking to help him develop technically so he can eventually push his way back into the senior squad.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo after the U21s’ draw with Newcastle United, the coach said: “We’re just challenging his technical development. We know that he’s quite destructive playing off the left, he has a challenge when he goes to the right – just seeing the game from a different angle – so we thought we’d play him in the middle as well because that will challenge his receiving skills, his combination play, and actually he’s a real threat when he’s running at people.
“So rather than running at people as a wide player, we can get him running at a centre half and look at his decision-making in those spaces. We know he can improve playing in tighter spaces, so anything we can do in training and games to challenge his learning and stretch his development, we’re willing to do it.”
Watson finished last season with 10 goals and five assists in 21 matches for the youth side, receiving high praise on the regular from coaches and the media.
The youngster was hailed as ‘magic’ and ‘quality’ as he worked hard to earn himself a promotion to the first team.
What comes next for the Sunderland academy gem?
Watson looks to be one of the academy’s biggest talents and will be desperate to follow in the footsteps of Chris Rigg.
Le Bris showed at Lorient that he is brilliant at helping develop younger players, while we are also already seeing the positive effects that he is having on Rigg in just a couple of months together.
If the Frenchman was to work with Watson over the course of the season then we may start to see his talent develop rapidly and he could really begin to excite supporters.
However, it does feel that the first step to Watson’s progression is to send him out on loan to get a taste of senior football.
The 18-year-old is behind Clarke and Romaine Mundle in the pecking order and is likely to be limited to only a few cameos at a push.
If Watson can impress in League One or League Two, then the club will really be able to start to see what kind of player he could become with a bit of experience under his belt.