‘Calmness’ - Sunderland U21 boss reacts to 4-2 win over PSG and praises senior goalkeeper for impact
Sunderland U21s head coach Matt Craddock reacts to the 4-2 win over PSG, writes Tom Greaves.
Sunderland Under-21 head coach Matt Craddock was ‘really pleased’ by his side's performance in their win against PSG in the Premier League International Cup.
A first half hat-trick from winger Jack Whittaker saw Sunderland 3-1 up going into the second half where Ben Kindon was able to bundle the ball home, making the score 4-2 at the final whistle. Craddock said. “We allowed them to move the ball and switch the play so in the first half we had to do a lot of running, our metrics were through the roof but we tried to maintain our game plan and I am really happy we did so.
“I thought it was a mature, professional performance and that is what we were trying to get to.” Before the win yesterday, Sunderland had lost back to back games against Newcastle and Blackburn. “I don’t think we have been that far off in the last few games.” Craddock said.
“It has been quite a frustrating month. We want to push these players, today there were some really positive performances. “Whittaker was definitely one of the highlights. He took his goal really well, he is now one of the older players in the group, so he has some responsibility and he has taken it on well.”
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PSG scored a late consolation goal in additional time. Craddock was disappointed by the mistake. “It was sloppy, not unlucky. We were a bit leggy in the second half and we need to learn that we need to control the game. When we did that it allowed us to re-energise but it was a good lesson for the players.”
First team players Melker Ellborg, Aji Alese and Alan Browne all earned valuable minutes in the game during the international break. Craddock was particularly pleased by Ellborg saying: “He has been brilliant. Coming into the team he brought so much energy and positivity. That experience and calmness is great and obviously being a first team player he is someone the others can look up to.” Sunderland's next match is against Salford in the EFL Trophy on November 24.
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