Sunderland under-18s coach Paul Bryson reflected on a “really tough” season following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat against Stoke City.
The Black Cats were condemned to a three-goal scoreline via goals from Ethon O’Driscoll-Varian, Adam Porter and Kieran Coates on a day where six players from younger age groups were involved due to injuries which have plagued Bryson all season long.
“It’s been really tough,” said Bryson.
“We tried to contain them early on but that game plan goes out the window because you concede after eight minutes.
“In the second half we just got overrun, we didn’t really create a great deal and their lot looked dangerous every time they broke on us.
“We ended up with five under-16s on the pitch and an under-15 goalkeeper in Adam Richardson so that’s the positive from it - as long as they learn from it the better they’ll be next year.”
Bryson’s side end the season bottom of the U18 Premier League with the starting 11 changing various times throughout the season due to injuries, international absences and players such as Dan Neil and Bali Mumba being called up to the under-23 and senior squad.
Bryson feels that and the continued promotion of under-16s to the under-18 squad are the main positives from this season – although he stressed the latter must adjust to the leap in quality.
“The big thing is physicality and pace, it’s a big gap from the under-16s to the under-18s,” he continued.
“One pleasing thing today was the 15-year-old goalkeeper, Adam Richardson, who had quite a bit to do but dealt with it well aerially and on the ground.
“Not many are going to remember what team you had in 2018 or 2019, but they’ll remember Bali Mumba playing for the first-team and they’ll remember Dan Neil getting a little bit of a game against Morecambe in the Checkatrade Trophy.
“The younger lads that have played regularly for us like Patrick Almond and Ryan Gooch, that will do them the world of good for next year.”
