This weekend, Sunderland takes on Middlesbrough.
On Saturday afternoon, Sunderland returns to the Stadium of Light to host Middlesbrough, its neighbours.
Boro travels to Wearside, where they want to repeat the thrilling 4-0 victory over Michael Carrick’s team that occurred the previous season.
However, Sunderland has had a strong start to the 2024–2025 season, having taken 12 of a possible 15 points after their most recent 3-2 loss to Plymouth Argyle.
The Black Cats are still a threat even after losing Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town because to Regis Le Bris’ radical transformation of the playing style.
Romaine Mundle is still playing well without Clarke; he has three goals in his past three games.
Several summer additions have yet to make an impact on the first team, but there have also been outstanding individual efforts throughout the field.
Before the match against Boro, Le Bris might already be experiencing some selection headaches. As a result, some less well-known players might get a start.
Tom Watson might be one of these names.
Tom Watson, a Sunderland gem, will definitely play against Middlesbrough.
Both Watson and the Sunderland supporters have been eagerly waiting for Watson to make his debut in the starting lineup.
With Clarke out of the picture, Watson appears ready to assume Mundle’s position in the starting lineup and serve as Mundle’s backup.
Watson is still making an impression for Sunderland’s U21 team. However, he was not present for the young player’s match against Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday night.
Watson has been working with the first team ahead of Middlesbrough, therefore it was soon discovered that he had been left out. This suggests that Le Bris will finally hand Watson his first debut of the season this weekend.
The eighteen-year-old has not been used as a substitute in any of the previous three Championship games.
Tom Watson’s performance against Middlesbrough could determine his fate at Sunderland.
Watson appears to be outgrowing Sunderland’s U21 team, and with interest from the Premier League, Le Bris and even Kristjaan Speakman might be eager for the winger to begin playing Championship games on a regular basis.
Furthermore, starting him off the bench against Middlesbrough would be throwing him in at the deep end.
However, playing against strong competition in a local rivalry would be a true test of his resolve and ability to make his season debut.
Watson might feel a little more at ease playing at home, and considering that he has been sitting on the bench lately and that he was recently cut from the U21 team, this weekend seems to be the first that we will see Watson this season.
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