Sunderland U21s boss Graeme Murty has been left impressed by the 'clear plan' of the Black Cats hierarchy. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus outlined his vision for the club over a year ago, investing into the youth set-up after years of underfunding and 'asset stripping.'
The summer transfer window, headed by Kristjaan Speakman, saw those plans made even more clear by the investment into young, European talent, touted for big things. The Under-21s game against Leeds United featured nine first-team players, with just Bailey Wright classed as an over age player.
Edouard Michut and Amad Diallo were two of those players who are on loan at the club, with both looking to gain fitness ahead of a return to first team action. The recruitment at the club has come under the microscope in recent weeks, given injuries to Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms, but Sunderland have not wavered or made excuses.
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"I think talking to people in senior positions at the club, they have a clear plan about what they want to do, where they want to go," Murty told Chronicle Live. "You've just seen there, the amount of young players in the First Team squad that are able to play in a under-21s game without making special dispensation.
"The quality of them as well, I think it's really exciting times to be part of the football club and I'm really pleased and honoured to be a part of it. I came in as fresh set of eyes. It's really interesting coming in without any preconceived ideas and any habits they've taken on recently.
"I said to the players 'It's not a clean slate' because I don't necessarily like that term, but it's an opportunity to work with a new person who might see their game in a totally different way and give them a fresh perspective. I'm just here to be a battery or resource for them to help them get better."
The new Under-21s boss will inherit a side that's picked up just one win from their opening seven games. However, the game against table topping Leeds United gave supporters a possible glimpse at what the future holds if the club continues to invest into young talent.
"You look at the steps Leeds United have taken and the investment has come in at the start of the process and facilities," Murty said. "They've invested in staff and then infrastructure, also players towards the latter end. Whole going into the Premier League they've invested more heavily and I think you're seeing the fruits of that now.
"They've got people who want to be pushing into their first team. They've got a perfect platform and they need games like tonight. They need games of that tempo and that quality, not only to prove how good they are but to test them and give them a proper physical challenge.
"I thought we got exactly the same. We've got some really talented players who needed a physical test, needed some minutes in the legs and they'll only reap the benefits of that further down the line."
"I don't think it's actually for me to say," Murty said when asked about what he'd bring to the role. "I think the proof in the pudding will be what happens in the processes within the work over the next couple of years.
"For me to come in and say I'm going to do this and that, is not something I'm comfortable in doing. I think I'm much better served by going about my business with no fanfare, going and doing my work, then hopefully you'll be able to see on the pitch the fruits of that labour."
Sunderland are expected to field a more inexperienced side when they take on Reading in the Premier League group stage at Eppleton on Friday. A slightly more realistic opportunity for Murty to see the players at his disposal.
He said: "I can't help but get excited when you look at football matches. Whatever team that is, whether it's given to me by the First Team or is in the building, they're what you have, they're what you work with. You have to do your best as a coach.
"I'm here to facilitate that, I'm here to facilitate players reaching their maximum potential, that's my only role to get them onto the pitch with a better understanding of themselves and the game so they can have a career in the game. Whatever vehicle we get, whether that's tonight or Friday night, it's my job to prepare them for whatever they go up against and if I can do that, I know I'll have done my job really well.
"Their challenge is to make sure that they're walking out of this tunnel into this stadium on a weekly basis if they can. If they can do that then it'll be down to the work they've put in throughout the years and I do believe that they need to see and understand, be able to touch those tangible rewards for the hard work they're putting in now.
"I think you've seen it tonight, a touch of what the future might look like if we continue to build."
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