A number of Sunderland senior players made an appearance in the U21s’ clash with Newcastle United last night.
The Tyne-Wear derby kicked off at Whitley Bay Park in the Premier League 2, with Nectarios Triantis, Joe Anderson, Jewison Bennette, Luis Hemir and Ian Poveda all involved.
The Magpies brought a very strong starting line-up with them too though, with Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett occupying their defence.
Sunderland claimed a point from their fierce rivals, though it was substitute Timur Tutierov who claimed the equaliser with six minutes to go.
Despite Newcastle’s senior full-backs, Poveda and Bennette both looked ‘bright’ on attack, with the former making promises inroads on the break.
However, one player who definitely hasn’t helped himself is Anderson, who finds himself demoted to the U21s once again.
- READ MORE: Sunderland’s ‘outrageous talent’ has already proven Regis Le Bris right in just 148 minutes
Joe Anderson struggled once again for the U21s
The 23-year-old made his first start for Sunderland in their Carabao Cup defeat to Preston North End last week, but really struggled as he played out of position.
Anderson returned to central defence against Newcastle, but once again struggled against their young attack.
Sunderland Echo handed Anderson a six rating, writing: “Started in his natural centre back role but was caused a few problems by Newcastle’ pace in attack.”
Anderson is approaching his 24th birthday this season and still doesn’t even seem good enough for U21s football.
The defender showed glimpses of promise in pre-season, but other than that has been rather underwhelming and couldn’t even impress in League One while he was on loan at Shrewsbury Town last term.
Sunderland can’t rely on him as a defensive option
While Sunderland need more defensive additions this summer, it seems sensible to bring in further reinforcements rather than trust Anderson.
He seemed like an unusual signing in January 2023 anyway, and now it is time to accept defeat and send him packing before the deadline.
Anderson will likely join a League One or even League Two team and it will prove that he was trying to play way above his level at the Stadium of Light.
Sometimes Sunderland make mistakes in the transfer window and this was definitely one of those mistakes.
The former Everton defender isn’t the only one either, with Luis Hemir’s quiet evening suggesting that perhaps he needs to leave on loan too. Thankfully, he is still only young and could potentially come good, but fans won’t be holding out much hope.