Forget Tommy Watson, this underrated Sunderland man has now been given ‘legend’ status by fans

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There was something inevitable about Tommy Watson scoring the winner in the Championship play-off final after being lambasted by Sunderland fans.

After Watson secured his £10 million transfer to Brighton in early April, the 19-year-old saw his performances drop off under Regis Le Bris, and he was dropped for the final two games of the Championship season against QPR and Oxford United.

Sunderland fans criticised Watson for downing tools ahead of his pending transfer to the Premier League, with some supporters labelling his displays as ‘dreadful’.

But when the Black Cats needed him to deliver most, the 19-year-old truly obliged. The youngster’s daisy-cutter in the 95th minute sent Sunderland into the Premier League, capping off his career at the Stadium of Light in the best way possible.

Watson declared himself a ‘legend’ after firing his boyhood club back into the big time, though the fans believe only one current player is deserving of that status.

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Sunderland fans think Luke O’Nien is a ‘legend’

The term ‘legend’ is thrown around loosely in the modern game, and normally, players don’t stay at clubs long enough to reach that level of adulation.

But after nearly seven years in the North East, Luke O’Nien is reaching legendary status for what he’s achieved. Since joining from Wycombe Wanderers in 2018, the 29-year-old has been there throughout their highs and lows.

From losing in the League One play-off final in 2021 to winning promotion a year later and now reaching the Premier League, O’Nien has cemented his legacy at Sunderland after 314 appearances, and supporters have now branded him a ‘legend’.

“Luke O’Nien is the reason my wife likes Sunderland and that is enough to make him a Sunderland legend for me,” one fan commented, while another said: “I agree with your list for the 4 same as in my lifetime but surely you have to add O’Nien in there.”

“Love all the players mentioned, but Bally will always be my fav player. Luke is a very close 2nd it will break my heart if ( when ) he leaves,” someone else wrote.

“I think if we call Quinn Phillips and Bally legends then this lad deserves his place with them,” a sixth agreed.

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O’Nien needs replacing in the Premier League

In the Championship play-off final, O’Nien was cruelly injured in the first minute, as Chris Mepham came on to replace him and did a fine job.

Fortunately, it was a happy ending for the Englishman, who has developed into a cult hero at the club over the past seven years.

That being said, while he’s been instrumental alongside Dan Ballard under Le Bris, he will perhaps need replacing as a regular starter in the top flight.

If Sunderland are serious about staying in the division, they need to add players with pace and power to their defence, which are two attributes O’Nien lacks.

Sunderland have been linked with Monaco’s Wilfried Singo, who is exceptional at winning aerial duels and great with the ball at his feet.

Singo is someone they could invest in this summer to partner Ballard, with O’Nien surely playing a more sporadic role.