Sunderland under-23 coach, Andy Welsh has praised the performances of young striker, Josh Maja after his brace in their 3-0 demolition of Southampton.
One for the future
Maja has been highly-rated at the Academy of Light, having been a former academy player of the likes of Manchester City, and has took the step up in this campaign from the U18's.
The striker has been around the senior in pre-season, being taken under the wing by veteran striker Jermain Defoe, and highly-rated by former manager Sam Allardyce. The 17-year-old impressed with a brace and another from George Honeyman gave them the convincing win, as Welsh praised the performance of the striker.
He told safc.com: “Maja did really well, when we didn’t have the ball he worked tirelessly and got back in and kept a good shape." He added, “In this team when we don’t have the ball we work very hard and that’s something Maja has had to learn."
Welsh continued: "He is very good technically and difficult to play against when he has the ball at his feet in attacking area." The manager believes, "What we have got to do now is develop that team ethic when we don’t have the ball and make sure he still contributes.”
Unfazed by it all
The young Black Cats have had an excellent start to the campaign and have remained undefeated so far, with young defender Ethan Robson sating that the side are unfazed by their start to the campaign.
"It’s been a good start to the season for the team and for myself on a personal note," Robson said. He admitted to the club website, "It has been a great experience to be part of the first-team but I just need to keep going."
Robson concluded: “I’m feeling sharp in myself but I just need to keep playing games and showing people what I can do, hopefully then I will get more chances.”
Sunderland will take on Everton at the Stadium of Light on Monday, September 12 with kick-off at 8pm BST.