Graeme Murty says the reason Isaac Lihadji, Abdoullah Ba, Pierre Ekwah and Jewison Bennette played for Sunderland U21s was to get minutes into the legs. The quartet were the Black Cats' best players on the night, with Ba in particular rising to the occasion under the watchful eye of Tony Mowbray.
All four first-team players were left on the bench for Sunderland's defeat to Stoke City at the weekend, but were able to exact revenge for the young Wearsiders.
“I think that we were convincing in the way we approached the game,” Murty said after the game. “I think the first-team players in particular were respectful of the game, respectful of the group they dropped into and made sure they pushed on and did things properly.
READ MORE: Abdoullah Ba and Isaac Lihadji shine as Harry Gardiner brace lifts Sunderland U21s above Newcastle
“I thought that approach and that application lended itself to the situation and made sure we dealt with the football really well. We did all the horrible stuff really well with our pressing and our work rate, and then that let their talent shine and there is some talent in that group.”
The quartet of first-team players, five if you include youngster Chris Rigg, were among the standout performers for Sunderland on the night, under the watchful eye of Tony Mowbray.
“We just make sure we talk to the first-team staff, liaise with them really, really closely and make sure we're available if they need a platform for the players to play,” Murty added.
“It’s a really useful platform, but it’s only useful if they approach it properly so that they can get something out of the game. They have got to showcase themselves in front of the owner, in front of the technical director, in front of the first-team manager.
"They have got to make sure when people get their eyes on them they are standing out and showing themselves in a really good light and I thought they did that. They needed game time so we need to make sure we facilitate that and also it shows our young players what the standard looks like.
“It’s great to see 15-year-old Chris Rigg play with first-team players because that’s where he wants to go and where we want to project him. We have to make sure this is as rich and as valuable a learning experience as we can make it.”
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