So far 2015 has been a fantastic year for Sunderland’s newest prospect Duncan Watmore. Since returning from a broken leg at the turn of the year, Watmore has gone from strength to strength and yesterday showcased his talents with a substitute appearance and an assist for the England under-21’s against U.S.A.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation since his 2013 move from non-league side Altrincham, where he scored 15 goals in 54 appearances. His rise from non-league football to the under-21 side of Sunderland to then the first-team fold has been admirable and has shown just how far hard work peppered with natural raw ability can get you.
Watmore has yet to be given a real chance to prove himself and cement a first-team opportunity at the Black Cats, that is despite scoring 2 goals in just 4 appearances since his move two years ago. A brief loan spell in Scotland with Hibernian did not do the former Manchester Academy man justice, where he scored just the one goals in 10 appearances.
The 2014-15 season was Watmore’s breakthrough year, despite missing the opening months of the season with a broken leg, the winger bounced back with a vengeance and picked up the ‘Barclays Under-21 Player of the Season’ after scoring 11 goals in just 18 games. However, his season did not end there, Watmore was called up for International duty for the Under-20’s in the Toulon tournament, where he picked up the “Revelation of the Tournament’ award for his two goals.
Sunderland’s number 41 was starting to make a name for himself and the press were beginning to take notice of his talents. However, Watmore is a level-headed young man and lets his football do the talking for him. The youngster in due to graduate from Newcastle University later this year, after studying an Economics degree during his rise to the Sunderland first-team fold, a path the player himself is grateful for.
I’ve come here via a strange route in non-League and not being involved with England until the U20s, so I have come through a bit later than the other lads,” Watmore told TheFA.com.
“It’s a different route, but I’m happy that I’ve done it that way and I was able to experience a different type of game in non-League.
“I was still doing my A-Levels and going through uni, so it gave me lots of other opportunities and I’m grateful for that, with how it’s worked out.
“It allowed me to do that because of the way I came through football, I didn’t have to leave when I was 16 to come into the game full-time.
“It’s been a good couple of weeks for me, I’ve been involved in all of the [Sunderland] squads since I made my debut,” he added.
“I’ve been getting some game time coming off the bench and I’ve enjoyed it.
“Now it’s time for me to try and push on and get a start in the team, but there’s no rush for that as it’s a big step up.”
Whilst Watmore himself may be biding his time for his deserved Sunderland opportunity, fans are not so patient. With the Black Cats struggling so far this season, Watmore in his brief appearances so far has been a revelation. His direct style of play and sheer determination and passion is exactly what Sunderland fans love to see from their team, and with Watmore being at such a young age, it makes it all the more satisfying to watch.
However, Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat is being a lot more patient with Watmore and wishes to ease him gently into the first-team, a stance he has taken since last year when he resisted temptation to throw Watmore into the middle of a relegation battle. Advocaat said after the England under-21 international’s impressive cameo against Norwich:
“Of course, it will be possible that he will not play. Everything is possible.
“He did in 10 minutes more attacking-wise than some others.
“But again, if you start as a regular, it’s a different way of playing. But he did well.”
As Watmore continues to blossom into a smart and direct footballer, the anticipation and eagerness to see him in the starting line-up from the Sunderland crowd will intensify. The 2015-16 season may just be the year that Watmore changes from ‘the young man with potential’ to becoming ‘the man for Sunderland’. Now that the transfer window has passed by and Watmore has not left the club on loan, hopefully, Dick Advocaat will hand the youngster his chance to shine with regular first-team football. With Watmore’s career going from strength to strength in red and white, and the all white of England, surely it is only a matter of time before the 21-year-old cements his place in the first-team for club and country.
