With no game until Boxing Day, there’s not a great deal to report. However, Duncan Watmore has been chatting about working in a soup kitchen alongside his family and the power and negativity of social media. He said: “I feel like I can help the community and those who are less fortunate than myself. I feel like I should do it. It’s part of my responsibility and something I enjoy doing. But having said that, there are so many people doing a lot, lot more than me who are giving up their time and effort. They’re the real ones who are giving back and are helping so much, just like the people we’ve seen today. There are so many people making a difference every single day which is great. Things like helping in the soup kitchen are an easy decision and it’s the best thing you can do, to put it to causes like this and help.”
“The injuries - there’s nothing I could have done about them. I wish there was, but there wasn’t. I’ve had to accept them for what they are and I know it’s frustrating. I can tell you it’s frustrating and how frustrating it has been for me. But I think you can get swamped down by some of that negative stuff on social media. I try to avoid that where I can. I feel very grateful for the support I’ve got. Coming down and speaking to the fans and people who are part of the community, there’s so much positivity and goodness. It’s great to see, to get out there and be a part of it. The club has given me a great chance, they stuck by me, and I feel like I’ve got back to a fitness level I’m happy with. Now I want to keep playing and repay the faith the club and supporters have shown in me. I owe a lot to this area, this football club. I’ll give back wherever I can. Even though on the pitch we’ve had a tricky couple of years, I still feel very proud to be a part of this football club and this area.”
In other news, it seems that Luke O'Nien is set to stay at Sunderland by triggering a clause that will extend his current contract by a year. LON said: “I grew up watching this club, and I remember looking at it and going, ‘Wow.’ Then, when you become a part of it, it’s a bit surreal at first. I’ve loved being up here, even the management staff (have had to) kick me out at times because they say I’ve been working too hard! It’s a great place for me – the facilities, the stadium, the fanbase, the potential of where we could go. I love it, why wouldn’t I want it to continue? I’m very proud to be a part of this great club. I know it’s not in the best part of its history. It’s nowhere near where I want it to be, and where the fans’ expectations want us to be. It’s hard not being where we want to be, but it’s enjoyable knowing we can work for it every day and that it’s well within our reach.”
