Lee Johnson picked up his first win as Sunderland manager last night and hailed Jack Diamond the star in a 2-1 EFL Trophy win at Oldham Athletic, speaking to the Northern Echo.
If you excuse the pun, the Black Cats appear to have a rough Diamond in their midst in the Gateshead-born 20-year-old.
The youngster has been highly regarded by those in the know for some time and, after helping Harrogate Town earn promotion to the Football League during a loan spell in Yorkshire, looks set to make a name for himself at his parent club.
After Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic, Johnson admitted Sunderland were crying out for pace, power and a bit of unpredictability in the final third.
And, on last night’s evidence, Diamond may be the man to provide exactly that.
The quicksilver winger was a constant threat down the right and played a key role in Chris Maguire’s opener with a teasing delivery the Oldham defence couldn’t deal with.
“I thought he was fantastic,” former Bristol City boss Johnson said at full-time.
“He’s got mega-bucks of work to do and has got to sleep with a futsal ball under his pillow because he needs to learn how to master the ball, but wow. He’s so powerful, direct and dynamic – and we need that in our team.
“We need that to create space for the footballers who can get in the pockets. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and Jack certainly made a very good one on me today.”
Josh Scowen scored Sunderland’s winner in the second-half, heading home to cap a fine, controlling performance in the heart of midfield.
Tom Flanagan, Grant Leadbitter and young goalkeeper Anthony Patterson also impressed on a night that gives Johnson plenty to ponder.
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