Tony Mowbray has urged Abdoullah Ba to take his opportunity in the first team and nail down some consistency in the absence of Patrick Roberts. Ba played against Coventry but his decision-making and raw style of play was often frustrating to watch.
TALENTED BUT INEXPERIENCED
“He’s got talent, he’s got speed, he’s got power, he’s an inexperienced senior level football player. He’s played youth football for France, he’s not experienced in men’s football, we’re trying to give him game time."
FILL ROBERTS' BOOTS
“With Patrick not being available, it’s a chance to give him some game time, there’s been flashes. Like with a lot of young players they lack consistency and Abdoullah falls into that bracket a little bit. You’re not sure what you’re going to get but on his hot moments he’s very hot.”
GAME OF TWO HALVES
“The game panned out different than I thought, I thought we would dominate possession like we did last year against them and yet they were good with the ball. I was disappointed at half time, we adjusted a few things and were better in the second half, the final ball just wasn’t quite there."
BIG CLUBS
“Sunderland are a monster of a football club, we’re on the same journey to try and get back to the Premier League and both clubs would enhance the Premier League if and when we get there. Because of the fan base it carries and the stadium it plays in and hopefully the support the club gets along the way.”
KYLE MCFADZEAN
“I don’t know the boy but I would say he is amazing. He is obviously the core of the team, the rock of their team, a real man, an old school footballer really, who heads everything out. He puts his body on the line. He is the guy blocking the shots, throwing his body in the way. I think there is a place still for centre-halves like him in modern day football."
OLD SCHOOL DEFENDERS
“Modern day academies are trying to develop Beckenbauers and Bobby Moores who step out and glide out into midfield and play sexy passes. But there must be, and there always will be, as Coventry are showing, a place for a McFadzean who blocks everything and puts out fires when teams put balls in the box.”
