"Not a chance" - Tommy Watson's Sunderland AFC legacy played down amid "legend" claim from play-off hero | OneFootball

Tommy Watson scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Wembley

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Tommy Watson scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Wembley - booking Sunderland's return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

The 19-year-old - who is set to complete a £10m move to Brighton this summer - came off the bench to turn the game on its head just when it looked like Sheffield United would end their playoff final hoodoo.

Sunderland were the first team since Leicester City in 1995/1996 to win the Championship play-off final after being behind at half-time. Despite the heroic moment, there is certainly some doubt over Watson being considered a club icon due to the Brighton transfer saga, which boiled over on deadline day in February.

Tommy Watson told he cannot be considered a club icon, despite Sunderland heroics

The whole saga actually began in January when Watson travelled south for talks with Brighton on deadline day - though no resolution was reached at that time, it was confirmed in April that he'd join the East Sussex outfit.

FLW's Mackem Fan Pundit, Jordan Newcombe, insists this is the main reason why Watson cannot be considered a club icon, with the player himself in the aftermath of his play-off heroics claiming that he will probably go down as a 'legend' at the Stadium of Light.

Jordan told FLW, "I wouldn’t put him down as a club icon, not a chance he’s anywhere near. Would it be a little hero moment on the day - 100%.

"Looking at that goal, if it went to extra-time, I firmly believe it wasn’t our trophy to take home and it wasn’t our promotion to take.

"You know it was a half each at Wembley, Sheffield (United) too the first half and we took the second and we drove and we wanted it more - it showed as soon as Roberts and Watson came on the game changed massively.

"For me he does not go down as a club icon and obviously with the mentioning of the criticism that he has had, I don’t say the things to annoy people or get them wound up - obviously everyone has their own opinions and the opinions I had for Watson, I still stand by."

Tommy Watson's Brighton transfer still overshadows Wembley moment for some

Despite his reservations about Watson's overall legacy, Newcombe was keen to acknolewdge the players contributions when they mattered most.

Jordan continued, "I do fully respect and thank him for the goal at Wembley - even the goal against Stoke at home, because without them three points we might not have got play-offs.

"For every bit of contribution that he’s tried and worked his heart in for - I will thank him for. The games where he hasn’t seemed like he’s been bothered to do it - that’s where it gets me, but he turned up when it’s needed most.

"I’m not going to be bitter about him leaving. I'd say good luck to him, hopefully he makes a name for himself at Brighton, whether he’s a super-sub or starter for some games or under-21's - I do wish him well, wish him good luck and just thank you for the goal.

"It was a pleasure having him in that final and score to get us up - so again I do thank him for that.

"But overall I wouldn't call him a club icon just the saviour of promotion on that day. If that didn’t go in we wouldn’t be here now and it’s a wonderful feeling knowing we’re back up there."

This take reflects the conflicted feelings many Mackems likely have about Watson - while his goal secured the club's most important victory in years, the manner of his departure from Wearside and the timing of his Brighton move - being so recent - have somewhat prevented him from achieving iconic status