Wyke can bring new physical dimension to Cats’ attack
Next week Jack Ross hopes to sign a defender who can add a bit of physicality to his side.
It is a delicate balance because while Ross wants his side to continue playing the way that has brought them very good results so far, he knows they can get even better.
Charlie Wyke showed evidence of that against Blackpool.
Not only did he offer a completely different option for team-mates on the ball, he helped bring the best out of the technically talented players around him.
For Ross, Wyke’s fitness is a major boost.
“By and large we’ve had a front four who are technically good players but not that big in stature, they’ve had to score some really good goals,” Ross said.
“Now we have a different facet to our attacking play.
“The last couple of games we’ve also put a lot of crosses into the box, so we can encourage that and try to take advantage of that.
“Now we know we have the players to attack that, so it can change the dynamics of our game a little bit.”
A partnership with Josh Maja showed promising signs at Bloomfield Road and leaves Ross with a big decision to make when the Black Cats trav- el to the Valley on Saturday.
Ross says the structure will remain the same whoever he picks, but knows playing Wyke and Maja offers a real goal threat.
“For us, the team doesn’t necessarily set up any differently,” Ross said.
“What Josh is asked to do is the same really to what Chris [Maguire] is asked to do when he players there.
“It’s just that you’ve got different types of player playing there, so if you’ve got Josh playing there he’s naturally going to link up more.
“If you’ve got George [Honeyman] there he’ll naturally drop in more, Chris will naturally come to the ball more.
“The system and the structure stays the same, it is just tweaked by the player in there.see what a difference
“Charlie being back is huge for us. On a pitch like Tuesday you he makes.
“Not just his physicality either, he is just a good player, you don’t score as many goals as he has without that.
“It’s a big boost. If we were signing him in January, people would say ‘great signing’.”
The excitement at having Wyke available is one shared by Lynden Gooch.
“He was brilliant at Blackpool,” Gooch said.
“He relieved so much pressure on us.
“He was a big outlet, won almost everything in the air and held the ball up for us, which got us up the pitch and allowed us to create opportunities.
“He didn’t get his goal but he was brilliant. He is like a new signing.
“He helped us get up the pitch and was a big outlet at set pieces as well.”
*Sunderland’s home game with Accrington Stanley in February has
“Now we have a different facet to our attacking play.” ROSS ON WYKE
been chosen for live Sky Sports coverage.
The game was originally due to take place on Saturday, February 16 at the Stadium of Light but has now been brought forward to Friday, February 15, kicking off at 7.45pm.
It is a busy week for Sunderland, who face Oxford United away on February
9, Blackpool at home in the rearranged fixture on Tuesday 12 before the visit of Accrington on the Friday night.
A Sunderland statement added: “Supporters are advised however that the game could still be subject to further change should Accrington Stanley progress to Round 5 of the Emirates FA Cup.”
Accrington Stanley host Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Cup today.
Sunderland’s away fixture at Accrington last month was abandoned midway through the second half due to torrential rain at the Wham Stadium and that fixture is yet to be rearranged.