Sunderland U21 coach admits it's a juggling act to keep title challenge on track

Andy Welsh admits it's a 'juggling act' to keep Sunderland's challenge on track at the top of the Under-21 Premier League.
Ola Toivonen in action in the U21 match against Chelsea.Ola Toivonen in action in the U21 match against Chelsea.
Ola Toivonen in action in the U21 match against Chelsea.

Sunderland struggled to hit the heights which had seen them race to the league summit in the first half of the season during yesterday’s stalemate against Chelsea, with neither side able to create a clear-cut opportunity in a flat encounter at Eppleton CW.

But Sunderland’s attacking options have been depleted by the loss of three key forwards over recent weeks.

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Duncan Watmore is now firmly a part of the first-team picture, Lynden Gooch has joined Doncaster Rovers on a month’s loan, and Charis Mavrias has moved to Bundesliga outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent switch.

Development coach Welsh accepts that such departures come with the territory at U21 level, but they create knock-on difficulties in fielding a balanced side.

“It’s obviously a juggling act at the moment to keep getting teams out,” said Welsh.

“But, at Under-21 level, that’s what you have to do.

“Some players – like Carl Lawson, who came on at half-time yesterday – will have to play slightly out of the position than you want them to.

“But you manufacture it, to get them on the pitch.

“It’s not easy.

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“Obviously, it’s a blow when you lose the likes of Duncan Watmore and Lynden Gooch, but they have to go out and further their education.

“We have to see whether the Ethan Robsons and Andrew Nelsons can step up to the plate.”

Sunderland were solid defensively against Chelsea yesterday, with central defenders Tom Beadling and George Brady both performing well, but they lacked precision with their final ball.

It was a similar story for the visitors, who dominated the opening 25 minutes and were denied when Sunderland twice cleared off the line.

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“Chelsea turned up with power and strength, and competed for every single ball, as did we,” added Welsh.

“We cancelled each other out at times.

“We have to expect teams are going to come and give us these sort of issues, because we’re top of the league and we’ve beaten them before.

“They’re going to bring their strongest side.

“Overall, it was probably a fair result.”