YOUNGSTERS GO
Stade Nyonnais 0 Sunderland 2
A running track surrounds the pitch at Stade Camille-Fournier, which boasts stunning views of Lake Geneva.
And Sunderland have certainly been putting in the hard yards so far this pre-season.
While the club is yet to make a single summer signing – a major concern with the new season kicking off two weeks on Saturday – there is still much to be positive about.
Fitness levels have seen a marked improvement compared to this time last year, the side is three games unbeaten – albeit against weaker opposition – and the strikers are scoring goals.
It was Duncan Watmore’s turn last night to follow in the footsteps of Jermain Defoe and Fabio Borini in opening their pre-season accounts early, always a confidence booster for strikers.
There was no Defoe last night against Swiss thirdtier outfit Stade Nyonnais, he was given the night off after starting both games against Hartlepool United and Rotherham United.
David Moyes’s first side in charge had a predominantly youthful look to it.
Tommy Robson, Michael Ledger, Ethan Robson, Lynden Gooch, Rees Greenwood and George Honeyman handed starts alongside the more experienced Watmore.
As a result, there were few clues as to how Moyes will set his team up when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on August 13.
That was to be expected though given Moyes was only announced as manager ahead of the Rotherham win before the squad flew out to France for the week.
One interesting selection though was the sight of Jack Rodwell at centrehalf. Familiar, of course, to Moyes from his Everton days, his arrival as manager could reignite the three-time capped England international’s career.
But he wasn’t deployed in his usual midfield role, instead, due to the lack of other central defensive options, with Younes Kaboul and Lamine Kone also rested, Rodwell was deployed alongside Ledger.
And he impressed, winning his headers, cool, calm and composed on the ball, playing out from the back. He also snuffed out a dangerous Stade Nyonnais break, though a misplaced header forced keeper Vito Mannone into an agile first-half save.
It would be a surprise to see Rodwell play in defence in the Premier League, but he has the attributes to play the role. Watch this space.
“Rodwell was cool, calm and composed on the ball” RICHARD MENNEAR
Moyes, meanwhile, has already made a positive impression on the players in his first few days in the job – and he has made an equally good first impression with the fans too.
The hard work is only just beginning though as Moyes begins to stamp his ideas firmly into the minds of the Sunderland players over the coming days and weeks.
New additions are, of course, needed, with Sunderland expected to finally crank up their transfer business imminently.
New chief executive Martin Bain watched the game from the stands.
For now, the focus is on working with what Moyes has at his disposal and it was the youngsters who again shone.
A large number have been given a healthy amount of game time in the past three friendly matches, with two more chances to impress this week before the squad fly back Sunday.
Watmore stole the show with his two goals, both coming from the penalty spot in the opening 45 minutes.
It was just what he deserved too after an impressive half, by far the biggest threat Sunderland posed.
Around 500 supporters watched the impressive Gooch whip in an early cross to the near post, only for England Under-21 international Watmore to blaze over from six-yards.
Honeyman and then Watmore again both wasted good openings before the breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute when he won and converted a penalty past Osni Mutumbo.
On the stroke of half-time it was 2-0, Watmore again from the spot after Honeyman was fouled.
Mass substitutions ensured that the second half did not have the same flow as the first, which allowed Nyonnais to enjoy their best spell of the game.
Besnik Salihaj forced Mannone into another smart save, while Lucas shot wide from close range when he should really have halved the deficit.
Sunderland lost their attacking threat until Fabio Borini, Wahbi Khazri and Jeremain Lens entered the fray in the 75th minute.
The Black Cats finished the game on top to make it three wins on the spin.
Don’t read too much into a comfortable 2-0 win over a Swiss third division side.
But at least it maintains some momentum and, in fairness, the hosts provided Sunderland’s defence with a tougher test than received previously.
Far tougher tests await, but it’s so far so good for Sunderland. Now they just need some new faces. Fast.