Eddie Howe, Dan Ashworth and Darren Eales were all in attendance at St James’ Park as the Under 18s turned out in front of a massive 2,588 fans in their FA Youth Cup tie against Bournemouth.
The Young Magpies fell short on the night as Bournemouth scored five without reply, but one player in black and white stood out as an exciting talent and may have caught the eye of Howe who is looking for reinforcements after the first team’s recent injury crisis.
Winger Trevan Sanusi, wearing the number 11 at St James’, had an exciting game and was able to have some luck down the left side through his good footwork and flair – even attempting an audacious Rabona at the Gallowgate end in the late stages of the game.
His emergence as a crowd pleaser will be good news for the club who brought the 16-year-old in from Birmingham City in the summer. While he still has some work to do on his overall game, his performance will have encouraged Toon chiefs in the stands, with the England youth international also catching the eye during our UEFA Youth League campaign.
Speaking to U18 coach Graeme Carrick after the game, he told me that “those moments of skill” were why the club brought Sanusi in.
“He obviously gets the crowd off their feet. Couldn’t quite find that last action tonight but Tre is still settling in, he’s still really young and still got lots to learn. All the boys at times showed good glimpses of their individual skill or abilities.”
Already an England U17 international, could Sanusi follow in Lewis Miley’s footsteps and make the step up to the first team in the coming seasons?
