Interim Academy Manager Stuart English has stressed the importance of progression and opportunity ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League 2 Division 2 campaign. The Black Cats conceded two late goals against Norwich City as three points slipped through their grasp in the curtain raiser earlier today.
Goals from Caden Kelly and Joe Ryder gave the Wearsiders a 2-0 lead at the Lotus Training Centre, before the Canaries completed a second-half turnaround. While results may have been hard to come by last season - with the Black Cats finishing 13th in PL2 Division 2 last season - the likes of Kelly, Harrison Sohna, Jacob Carney and Ellis Taylor were all given first team opportunities in pre-season.
Alex Neil cast his eye over the youngsters in the pre-season tour of Portugal and again later in their preparations. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman are both advocates of promoting from within and have put faith in the likes of Dan Neil, Anthony Patterson and Jack Diamond by rewarding them with long-term contracts at the Stadium of Light.
