Duncan Watmore has admitted that he needs to adapt his game to match the demands of the Premier League, according to the Sunderland Echo.
Watmore’s comments come following an underwhelming performance in Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. The 21-year-old was substituted on 16 minutes prior to the final whistle but under the watchful eye of Spurs left-back Ben Davies struggled to influence the game.
Prior to this game, the right winger’s only taste of Premier League glory had been scoring a consolation goal in Sunderland’s 3-1 home defeat to Norwich earlier in the season. Outside of the Premier League Watmore scored in the side’s 6-3 victory over Exeter City in the League Cup, and has netted 2 goals in 5 caps for the England U20s.
Despite an impressive youth resume, Watmore’s trademark pace and movement have yet to firmly announce themselves in the top flight, and the youngster is well aware that his gameplay must evolve to meet the exacting standards of Premier League.
“I might be able to handle myself in the 21s, but if I’m there with my back to goal in the Premier League, it’s difficult, it’s hard.
You can’t just play a certain way. You have to adapt to the better players.”
It is believed that Watmore has cemented a place on the Sunderland bench, with Advocaat hoping to use the winger’s explosive pace as a late game changer.
Watmore credits both the influences of England U21 manager Gareth Southgate and Sunderland youth coach Robbie Stockdale with helping to develop his game at a higher level than before. The Sunderland youngster’s meteoric rise at club level is matched only by his recent academic success, having also graduated from university with a first-class honours degree in economics.
