Earlier this month, Tony Mowbray conveyed a crucial message to two promising U21 defenders who have been patiently waiting for their opportunity in the first team.

Throughout this season, Tony Mowbray has consistently relied on his favored defensive duo, Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien. However, due to a growing fixture list and potential injuries, Mowbray is well aware that he will eventually need to provide opportunities to others.

In light of this, Mowbray’s message to Jenson Seelt and Nectarios Triantis becomes more significant than ever. He emphasized that these two defenders must be prepared to excel when the day inevitably comes when there is a need to replace the first-choice players.

Following Sunderland’s comfortable victory over Watford, Mowbray’s message was reported by the Sunderland Echo. He stated, “When we assess our defensive unit, Jenson and Triantis need to continue playing in the U21s to demonstrate their readiness. At some point, our current center-back pair has been outstanding, but they can’t be expected to play all 46 games in a season. So, the other lads have to be prepared.”

Mowbray stressed the importance of providing these young players with game time, acknowledging the challenges of finding the right balance between keeping them on the bench and ensuring they receive sufficient minutes. He recognized the difficulty of inserting them into first-team games without impacting the team’s performance. Nevertheless, he underlined the significance of accumulating these valuable minutes.

Mowbray also pointed out that while Jenson and Triantis joined the club to play and advance their careers, they should look up to the exemplary work of the current defenders, who serve as role models for young professionals with their dedication to their job.