SAFC Under-18 Lead Coach Adam Asghar has delivered an update on the progress of his squad, at an important stage of the season for both the Lads’ league prospects and their pathway development.
Our U18s have so far enjoyed a superb 2022-23 season in which we sit second in the U18 Premier League, with two games in hand on leaders Manchester City who sit seven points above, and a meeting in Manchester still to come.
“There has been a lot of development and the boys have adapted really well physically to playing a lot of games in a short space of time,” Asghar said.
“The lads have become more robust and that in the long-term is what it’s about if you’re going to become a first-team player here. They’re developing in that sense, and as well psychologically, and their style of play has been intense, strong and it’s producing results.
“Performances have been good – we’ve dropped points once since Christmas and even in that game we felt we were the dominant team. They’ve shown encouraging consistency – of course, as with young players, there are things to work on, and it’s impressed me how first years, second years and U16s that have stepped up are all on board and making an impact.”
A month-long period between Christmas and late January without a match has resulted in games coming thick and fast towards the business end of the season, as the Lads extended their winning run over the past five days with a 5-2 win against Liverpool, and a 2-1 midweek victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“This block of five games in two weeks will be challenging, but it’s what you want as a player – as many opportunities as you can get. It’s vital for us that we can see the players applying everything they’ve learnt all year into games.
“We’re starting games well. We’ve scored early goals and maintained good rhythm and control in games – I’d say the only disappointment is that we’ve not scored even more goals. I’d even include the Liverpool game – we scored five, but we had plenty more chances.
“We went in two ahead at Wolves on Tuesday and had a couple of half-chances to make the game clearer before we conceded, but it was also good to see that side of the game where they can manage a narrow lead and see it out.”
Asghar has given huge commendation to Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson for their recent international exploits – Rigg captained England Under-16s to success in the UEFA Development Tournament in Cyprus last month, whilst Watson is currently away with the Three Lions’ U17s in the Netherlands to face a trio of Euro U17 Championship qualifiers.
“I’m delighted for Chris and Tommy and their families. It’s an important achievement to recognise, representing your country. They both absolutely deserve the opportunities for the consistency they’ve shown across different age groups.
“It’s also a testament to the Club and to their teammates, as they’ve been that constant support on and off the pitch. Anyone who achieves things individually does so with the support of their teammates and the staff around them, so the Club and their peers deserve a lot of credit.
“They’ve both earned opportunities around the first team, and that’s huge credit to the boys and to go away with England is massive for them and their families.”
With six league games remaining and 13 wins so far from 18, next up is the Wear-Tyne derby for Asghar and his side.
The young Lads take on Newcastle United at Darsley Park this Saturday at 11am, having won the reverse fixture 3-1 before the turn of the year here at the Academy of Light.
The Lead Coach explained that whilst for the staff the main focus is on replicating good displays, he knows the team – significantly made up of North East lads – will bring an ‘added edge’ to Tyneside.
“Of course, the players will feel that edge in a derby. Especially as most of the boys are local and are Sunderland supporters.
“For us, it’s about getting that performance from them to continue their positive development, and we want to keep replicating what we’ve brought in recent weeks in terms of energy, work-rate and quality.
“Ultimately it’s the performance we’re chasing, but we’re sure the boys will bring that added edge to Newcastle and will approach the game with a lot of excitement and focus.”