Mike Dodds has been urged to give Sunderland’s academy trio a chance in the first team in their final three games.
Sunderland seem to have found some good form recently, having picked up five clean sheets in six games and losing only once.
Mike Dodds has managed to mix up the team in recent matches and has welcomed Timothee Pembele into the starting line-up for the first time this term, while Chris Rigg has retained a regular spot in the team.
The Black Cats are still yet to give any other academy players a shot though, despite being unable to finish any higher than mid table.
It was previously expected that Dodds would bring some youngsters into the fold to give them a bit of senior experience when results don’t really matter anymore, but he has already explained that he would still prefer to win games.
James Copley ‘would really like’ to see academy trio
Sunderland now have fixtures against Millwall, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday remaining, and journalist James Copley has encouraged the club to give opportunities to three particular academy stars.
Ahead of the U21s match against Middlesbrough last night, Copley wrote on X: “Would really like to see Watson, Bainbridge and Harrison Jones play for the first team before the season ends.”
Sunderland went onto lose the Wear-Tees derby 2-1, but Watson, Jones and Bainbridge were all handed starts yet again.
Watson netted his third goal in three games at the Academy of Light, taking his tally to ten goal contributions in only 14 games this season.
Watson, Bainbridge & Jones – what have we got to lose?
Supporters have made it clear that they want to see the teenager given a chance in the first team, with his senior debut coming towards the end of the previous campaign.
It also seems like perfect timing to be giving Bainbridge a chance too, with Dodds already explaining that he wants to be very careful in handling Aji Alese’s game time.
Leo Hjelde and Callum Styles have had a tough start to life at the Stadium of Light, so it feels like a great chance for the young left-back to make his mark in the final matches.
Similarly, Jones doesn’t have too much competition in the middle of the park.
Dan Neil has been exceptional this season, but Pierre Ekwah has only had very brief positive spells and could easily be displaced.
Sunderland are likely to invest in their midfield this summer, but surely they should look at their best options in the academy before splashing the cash on another young midfielder from elsewhere.