And apparently is having a stormer. On Sky Sports coverage, Rodney Marsh was saying something like "I don't know who this Thornton chap is, but he's been Sunderlands best player so far" and has spoken very highly of him, Jeff, as always, filled in the details about who he was and where he'd come from. The match in question is Sunderland V Bolton FA Cup replay, it's pretty much a second string Sunderland 11 but Julio Arca is still out there and out shining him is an achievement.
From football365.com Argentinian Nicolas Medina and Sean Thornton were the two new boys in the starting line-up, and Wilkinson was particularly impressed with the former Tranmere midfielder. ``It was nice to see Sean and Nicky make their debuts, and Sean looked very, very, very comfortable,'' he said. ``If that's a measure of what that young boy can do, then I'll be very pleased.'' I see that the sunderland fans were also impresed with him but recognise that it's still early days yet. he's supposed to be going on loan again, this time to burnley. but considering his performance last night, in what was a very dull match, may earn a place on the bench for their next game.
You don't do this if you don't plan on giving the lad at least a place on the bench. If he comes on, makes an impression, then does it again, he could be a first team regular in a few months time. Here's some quotes from Wilko about it which weren't in that report from teamtalk. Wilkinson told the club's official website: "That was the first full game I've seen Sean in and I must say it was a very promising and mature performance. "He's certainly a player we want to keep an eye on and bring on but it's now up to him to show he can produce that standard consistently." It all points to him getting some kind of a chance soon, and with Butler (touch wood) back soon, we'll soon have alot of competition for mid field players, not least from Sunderland.
Sunderland is so desparate for any kind of creativity in midfield that I agree Thornton will get another chance soon... I bet he's on the bench this weekend and will come in if they fall behind (insert joke here)... long-term, Irish youngsters Thomas Butler and Thornton are Sunderland's brightest hopes...
Did you manage to catch his preformance the other night? I've only seen the goals which didn't show much of him. Butler, though, is a lad I rate very highly.
It was, seems to be confusion all around, both Sky and BBC originally reported it was Morrison then corrected themselves. Thornton started and finished todays game and apparently played fairly well in a poor side.
Report on soccercentral.ie says that Thornton played well and that Wilkinson was very impressed by him.