“Their attitude and application was excellent”: Sunderland U21s Lead Coach hails O’Nien, Cirkin and Neil in 7-1 Europe victory
Sunderland Under-21 Lead Coach Graeme Murty revealed he was “proud of the performance” and the attitude of the first team players, in Wednesday’s 7-1 victory against Athletic Club in the Premier League International Cup.
Sunderland comfortably beat their Basque opposition with Luke O’Nien, Dennis Cirkin and Dan Neil all featuring as they make their fitness step-up, and Murty believed it was partly down to the influence of these experienced players in the squad.
He said: “I was really impressed by our first team group, and their attitude and application was excellent.
“I thought the energy, particularly in the first half, in our press was excellent.
“It allowed us to show our quality and ruthlessness on the ball.
“It is not often that you can play against a team with that stature and earn a scoreline that we got.
“I’m pleased for the players and the experience the earned from the game, but I want more from them.”
Speaking on the influence that the first team players had, the Lead Coach said: “We talked at half time at what we did really well.
“The lads spoke about the benefit of great communication from Neil and Cirkin, telling them when to press and it made the game easier.
Several first-team players are set to feature at the SoL this evening!
Catch all the action as our Under-21s take on Athletic Club from 7pm
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“The way they conduct themselves as well as physically, they see the game early and it sets an example.”
“It creates a positive model going into the game, and the experience is invaluable and we thank them for that.
Speaking on the the future for these players, he explained: “We have a group that can play league football.
“Our job is to put them in a good place and sell what they can do, and they showed that tonight and credit to them.
“They played alongside some experienced players, but they have to be able to stand on their own feet and they showed that they are capable of doing that tonight.”
Sunderland U21s play Sporting Lisbon in the Premier League International Cup on next Thursday at the Stadium of Light.
