Watmore’s energy can provide spark for Black Cats

Duncan Watmore’s energy can help spark struggling Sunderland into life and up the Premier League table, according to defender John O’Shea.

Sunderland have just two points from their seven Premier League fixtures, with one of those coming from a draw against West Bromwich Albion, on Saturday.

The Black Cats have yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet this season, with their only shutout coming against Shrewsbury in the second round of the EFL Cup.

But O’Shea has backed 22-year-old Watmore, who has featured in every Sunderland game this season, to lead the charge in attack.

“Duncan’s energy is very important for us in the team at the minute and that is going to be crucial for us going forward,” said the Irishman.

“A lot of the lads feed on it and the positive energy he has around the place, not just on the pitch. He is a fantastic lad and he is going to go from strength to strength.”

Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

And the defender thinks the resolve shown in Saturday’s draw, where his side came back from a goal down to equalise with less than ten minutes to play, bodes well for the rest of the season.

“Whenever you go behind in the Premier League you are giving yourself an uphill task again, but we started so well in the game and we were hoping to give everyone a boost around the stadium,” he added.

“The attitude from the off and right through the game was fantastic and on another day we would’ve taken the lead.”