by Regis Le Bris asked the supporters of Sunderland to get behind Tommy Watson during the home game this afternoon with Blackburn Rovers.
Watson was named in the homepage for the game in the Stadion of Light and is expected to be set up on the left side of Sunderland.
The teenager was a controversial figure since he was announced to leave Sunderland in summer to join Brighton.
Watson, who has been working at the Black Cats’ Academy since he was six, refused a number of contract offers to search for a change to the Amex Stadium.
The 18-year-old was booed when he was replaced by Sunderland against Swansea City a little more than a week ago during the last home game and is said to have been mocked on Friday.
Le Bris hopes that there will be no sharpness this afternoon and asks Sunderland’s fans to support Watson.
The Sunderland boss said: “Tommy is an important player in our squad. We all need them, all on his best level.
“We have to support him. We understand the fans because they love their club, but we need positive energy in the club.
“He will be important during this time. Tommy can help on the left, from the right, he is a player who could help us ten, 15 minutes in the future, maybe more … We will see.
“We need positive energy in the stadium [for Tommy] Because we all need. “
