da apostaganha： This article is part of Football FanCast’s In The Pipeline series, which takes a look at some of the most promising young talent either linked with clubs or emerging from their academies…
da bet7： There is not much going right for the Sunderland first-team on and off the pitch and even the U23s have lost 11 games on the spin.
However, while the youth team’s results aren’t getting much better, there are individuals still showing promise.
Jack Bainbridge has had glimpses of first-team opportunities and has showcased his skill well, though in his recent FA Cup appearance against Gillingham his substitution coincided with a late winner for the opposition.
Regardless, he is still learning and has displayed the attributes that could serve him well, both physically and mentally.
If he is able to train and learn from experienced players like Joel Lynch then he should improve, too, though introducing him to the first-team when things aren’t going well may not be such a wise move.
He has three first-team appearances under the belt, all in cup competitions, with one coming at defensive midfield, and the protection he provided in that match against Morecambe last season – where the Black Cats kept a clean sheet – means he may not be far off being ready.
Former Sunderland defender Glenn Loovens has also sung his praises in recent times, describing him as a “good player and a proper defender who likes to defend.”
That is exactly what Phil Parkinson needs from his side right now, as too often lapses in concentration late on have led to goals being conceded, and ultimately matches being lost.
With that in mind, Bainbridge should be considered, and perhaps slowly integrated into the side as part of a back five, as that would offer him more protection and better guidance from more experienced defenders playing alongside him.
Parkinson used such a formation against the Gills last time out so it is a style he could be keen to utilise more often despite defeat, and considering he has overseen seven defeats in the last ten games Bainbridge may be a gamble worth taking.
In other Sunderland news, Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on the McDonald’s incident regarding Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire.