Ahead of tonight's cup game at Wigan, we spoke to Latics fan and editor of the Mudhutter fanzine Martin Tarbuck for the second time this season.
Charlie Wyke joined Wigan in the summer and was a high-profile transfer. How has that worked out so far for the Latics?
Even before his goals on Saturday, I hate to disappoint you but he has been fantastic. His hold up play and work off the ball has been exceptional, nothing like what we were told by Sunderland fans, that he was just a tap in merchant, reliant on a decent supply line. However, I think most Wigan fans (and Sunderland fans!) were acutely aware of the millstone around his neck and as a centre forward, he definitely needed a goal. My hope is that history is repeating itself under Leam Richardson, as it did under Cook and, like Kieffer Moore, now that he has broken his drought, he will go from strength to strength.
Jordan Jones and Max Power also went to Wigan. What's your thoughts on those two so far?
Max Power has come back a better player, he seems to have matured a bit, taken more of a leader’s ball and his set piece delivery has come on as well. He’s also not scored yet but he has been playing at right back for the last few games, and it looks like Tom Naylor and Jordan Cousins are the preferred midfield two.
I don’t think my views on Jordan Jones will come as a surprise. He is quick, tricky and exciting but doesn’t get in games enough and his decision making can be a bit poor at times. He could have passed to Wyke in one game to give him an easy tap in and that “millstone” could have been put to bed several games back. He has perhaps fallen back a bit in the pecking order since we re-signed James McClean. I’m sure he will get another chance, and then it is up to him to prove himself.
Despite losing the opening game of the season, you're now top of the league. Is that expected this season, or are you surprised with the team's good form?
It has been surprising how quickly we have gelled. We have been far from dominating games, or even scoring many goals but we have that solid, defensive spine to build upon and a strong midfield pairing. We haven’t really clicked further up the field and the football is still a bit too long ball for many fans’ liking. Again, it feels like déjà vu under Richardson, as we went through this process with Paul Cook and slowly started to dominate, improve the passing game and never looked back as the season went on.
What did you think of Sunderland when we played each other back in August?
In some senses, you played us at the perfect time, as we were still forming the team then and I think we were unlucky that day. We were also architects of our own downfall. We got in front and we should have calmed the game down and not done anything rash and quietened the home crowd. To give a soft penalty away two minutes later, well, there was only one winner after that and you never looked back. The ref was a disgrace and gave you lots of decisions, influenced by a roaring crowd but as I say we were our own worst enemy for not playing the crowd as well as the opposition and settling the game down. We gave you a soft opportunity to get back in the game and then you went on to dominate it. From that point on, you were very impressive throughout and I guess your season has continued in that vein.
Will Wigan's home advantage have a big impact on Tuesday?
Hard to say, the place doesn’t really get rocking on league match days, so the Carabao Cup is a real struggle. Having said that, the last round against Bolton, the DW was a little raucous to say the least. That seems to be the way, if there’s a good away support, the home fans respond and I’m sure you’ll bring a good support. On the actual field, I’ve not really noticed much difference in set up between home and away games in the way we play so far, and the refs have been diabolical all season. With the inevitable changes, it is hard to know what sort of team will turn up for us.
Who's been your standout player this season so far?
It has probably been Will Keane, who is kind of playing at the back of a front four diamond. He has drifted through large parts of his career and had long spells out injured but he really looks at home here. He can play the ball intelligently but he’s also capable of finding lots of space in the box. Jack Watmough from Portsmouth at centre half has also impressed, he just seems to be everywhere and owns the penalty box. Having said this, I would expect they will be the first two players to be given the night off on Tuesday though.
Which Sunderland player worries you the most?
Aside from the obvious McGeady, who will surely need a rest on Tuesday, I think it was Lynden Gooch who has caught my eye the last couple of times with his trickery. I don’t think he played in the league game, but I’m also surprised Alex Pritchard hasn’t featured more, he was always really impressive when he was at Brentford and Norwich.
It's a cup game. Will Leam Richardson play a strong squad or will he ring the changes?
I’d expect slightly fewer changes than the last round but we do have a squad now at least, and some of the players haven’t even made their debut yet, as Leam has resisted the urge to change a winning side. Jordan Jones will probably start, along with Stephen Humphrys (ex-Rochdale), who has probably been unlucky not to take’s Wyke’s shirt so far. We’ll also probably change most, if not all of the back four, to give players a run out. Might move Max Power back into the middle too, or give a run out to Bayliss, who is on loan from PNE.
What's your score prediction and who will get the goals?
I’ve got a theory that we will draw every round and win on penalties all the way, and win the trophy without winning a game. The problem is that, Jamie Jones, our back up ‘keeper, has been whacking in the winning penalty and he’s now out injured. So I will say a draw again, Stephen Humphrys for us and to a shootout. At which point, it would be nice to win another shoot out but I wouldn’t be devastated if we went out graciously, it’s not our top priority.
And finally, where do you think the two teams will finish this season after having played a number of games now?
I’d be quite happy for it to stay as it is!! Obviously, in a different order to the 2004/05 Championship season, but there’s a long way to go yet and there are too many other good teams in the mix. You wouldn’t even rule Ipswich out yet despite their abject start, as they arguably have a ridiculously strong squad now. There’s no way a club like Sunderland should still be at this level, but it’s up to you to get out. We are obviously a smaller club and rely on our player development and academy to compete in the Championship, but it is clear that the owners want us up sooner rather than later, given the kind of signings we are making.
