da prosport bet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da roleta： To say Sunderland are in a spot of bother at the moment would be an understatement.
The Black Cats haven’t won since the beginning of November while they’ve been victorious in just two games since Phil Parkinson replaced Jack Ross.
A number of players have underperformed, not least Will Grigg who has only scored once all season in the league.
Even their top goalscorer has been receiving criticism from fans this season.
As for the midfield, it’s an area of the pitch that continues to let the club down.
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On the chalkboard
It remains to be seen how Parkinson aims to improve Sunderland’s fortunes going forward but it’s clear fresh energy and new faces are needed in the side.
That’s especially the case in midfield where the old head of Grant Leadbitter hasn’t been up to scratch. His leadership skills were berated by supporters after the club lost 2-1 to Burton last week and his stats don’t make for pleasant reading either.
He completed just 79.6% of his passes against the Brewers, registering 3 unsuccessful touches.
It was a dismal performance from a man who has contributed to just two goals all season.
On top of that, Max Power has also been disappointing. Earning five yellow cards, he’s scored just once while making a solitary tackle per game.
With that in mind, new blood is needed. It might be too far to suggest a certain Bali Mumba should start but he should certainly be considered for a more prominent role in the first-team.
Earning his first-team debut as a 16-year-old, he was hailed by John O’Shea for his attitude at the time: “He is a 16-year-old who has come into that environment and not looked out of place, got plenty of knocks and kicks and tackles and bounced back up and showed a good attitude.”
It was a testament to Mumba’s character but since then he’s rarely been seen and has been made to do with appearing out of position at right-back in the U23s.
He’s played just ten times for Sunderland in the past but after impressing the new management, surely a first-team place beckons in the not too distant future.
Parkinson’s assistant, Steve Parkin, had the following to say earlier this term: “I’ve got to say that when he’s trained with me, he’s been great. He’s been really good. Technically, he can handle the ball, and he is sharp and bright.”
What Sunderland need at the moment is someone who isn’t just strong technically, but also someone who has the right attitude.
O’Shea and Parkin’s previous comments hint Mumba could be the right person. He isn’t the answer to Sunderland’s woes but the 18-year-old certainly deserves to be considered for a place in the side.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are still feeling the effects of a costly error they made last January…