No players can rest on their laurels under Johnson’s management

The smile said it all.

Jack Diamond’s grin was clear to see as he curled home Sunderland’ s third – and his first senior goal – at Lincoln City.

It was just rewards for a week that has seen the youngster shoot to prominence and establish himself in the first-team fold.

Diamond has been around the senior squad for all of the campaign.

But he had found places on the bench hard to come by as November drew to a close.

Even when he was named among the substitutes, game time was limited.

But having been handed a chance by new head coach Lee Johnson, Diamond has staked his claim for more regular involvement.

There was perhaps an expectation that, despite his impressive showing at Oldham in mid week, the 20- year-old would be dropped from the starting line-up at Lincoln in favour of the more experienced Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire available.

Johnson, though, kept faith with Diamond.

And in the process he sent a strong and positive message to his squad: Perform, and you’ll retain your place in the squad.

It would have arguably been the easy decision to restore McGeady and Maguire to the squad given they are perhaps viewed as the proven and safe option.

But the inclusion of Diamond shows that nobody can rest on their laurels under the new management.

That’s not to suggest that McGeady and Maguire were doing that, as both put in fine displays at Sincil Bank and each contributed an assist in the comfortable triumph.

But by sending that message to his squad, Johnson will ensure that everyone remains on their toes and that competition is rife.

We saw at Lincoln the impact that substitutes could have, and squad depth will be imperative as we enter a busy period of the season.

And players will now know that if they can perform when they are given an opportunity, further chances may be forthcoming for them.

It’ s a good message for Johnson to send, and it would be no surprise if we see other players follow in Diamond’ s footsteps and secure themselves a place in the side in the coming weeks.