After 1 point out of 6 in the previous two games, all of a sudden our squad is looking depleted and lethargic. Is it time for Kyril to invest this January?
Not to be too alarmist, after all we have played very well only recently, but many injuries and a few Covid cases, combined with a poor performance last night proves that we are still a few key signings away from being automatic promotion contenders. Arguably, had we postponed the game we could’ve allowed other players to rest and gone from draw against Wycombe with a fresher squad with more important players eligible for Accrington.
Still, the fact remains that last night we looked overly leggy and second best, playing into Lincoln’s hands who tried to catch an obviously exhausted team on the break. With some of the young players unused to the gruelling League One campaign, only playing their first season of senior football in most cases, we obviously could do with more reinforcements. What is even more concerning about last night is how weak our bench was : even on a good day with a starting eleven who weren’t so sapped and weren’t playing such laboured football, the substitutes would’ve struggled to make any noticeable impact on the game. With us chasing the game before half time and being reduced to ten men in the second half we can hardly rely on the likes of O’Brien, Taylor and Hawkes to influence proceedings. Last night was miserable but at the same time, we know on our day we are clearly the best footballing side in this division and that we are capable of absolutely blowing away teams with many players in that line up against Lincoln having outstanding seasons so far (bar last night). So what do we need?
One position we definitely need more cover in is at centre half. In Bailey Wright’s absence, we looked far less assured at the back. He is instrumental to the way we play at the moment, and it seems that he and Hoffman inspire confidence under our current system of play. Last night Flanagan was appalling. It is obvious we need another defender, perhaps with Championship experience who can steady the defence and compete for a place when we have everyone available. Younger and Xhemajli are untested at this level and whilst Younger has played well for the u23’s in patches, his lack of first team football more than likely reflects the manager believes he is not good enough currently.
With Gooch playing right wing back we look all at sea on the right-hand side. His career in reverse would look stellar, but unfortunately, he just seems to get worse every year. I’m aware he isn’t playing in his preferred position, but defensively he is a total liability and going forward he often makes baffling decisions on the ball, whether it is a ball into the box to nobody, struggling to beat his man or delaying a shot until the defender is right in front of him so that the ball cannon’s off the defenders shins. He is a frustrating player and too inconsistent. It would be better to have a right wing back with a bit more defensive nous. At least once again he makes a foul which just baffles and frustrates you and he is not cut out to be more than cover here. I believe Huggins, when fit, will be a good player in this position and Winchester has had some very impressive performances in this role earlier in the season. But, with him unavailable for three matches and also being central to our midfield when eligible, we do not currently have much depth here. It’s probably against Accrington that we should start the young Trai Hume, who is making the big step up from the Northern Irish league. Maybe we will not need to recruit here if he proves capable, but a right midfielder with versatility to play right wing back if needed would be ideal, maybe a young winger on loan from a Premier League team.
Another obvious area is midfield. The perennially injured Corry Evans is destined to never string more than ten consecutive appearances together in a Sunderland shirt and we cannot rely on him. With Winchester, O’Nien, and Evans unable for the foreseeable future, we are incredibly depleted here. This is, most certainly, the position that recruitment must look to before the window is closed. Ahead of Accrington, Lee Johnson has a real dilemma in terms of player selection and we lack any physicality against an Accrington side who will look to bully us. Playing nice football is all well and good but at this moment and long term, we need someone who can battle some of the more aggressive teams in this league.
Ross Stewart is having an amazing campaign and his work off the ball is really crucial. He is not top goal scorer in the league for nothing and the players around him have carved out plenty of opportunities this season. His movement is excellent and last night he was one of the only players who really put himself about. In Broadhead’s absence we look really short up top, if Stewart picks up a knock, we have to rely on O’Brien who has a really awful goalscoring record in this league. Another forward, even on loan, would not go amiss. Signing Ladapo from a promotion rival would be a real statement of intent.
Maybe I am too quick to panic, but with important games ahead we do look really short in almost every position. Carney, O'Brien, Taylor, Younger, Hawkes, Denver Hume and Xhemajli is probably the weakest bench we have ever fielded for a league match. Look at our squad available for the match yesterday and you would be forgiven if any of December’s optimism began to fade. We need reinforcements now. We can’t afford to go on a bad run.
