It’s time for Will Grigg to cement his Cats legacy
Will Grigg has the chance to become a Stadium of Light great.
On Tuesday night in the 5-0 win against Tranmere Rovers, he looked as sharp as he has ever done in a Sunderland shirt.
Admittedly, that isn’t as bold a statement as we’d have expected, or indeed hoped for when he made the switch from Wigan Athletic 10 months ago.
But nonetheless, credit where credit is due.
The 28-year-old’s overall showing deserved a goal, which he eventually grabbed with seven minutes to go.
It rounded off an impressive showing from the Northern Ireland international, one which also included a beautifully-weighted assist, allowing Duncan Watmore to slot home the opening goal.
When Grigg was replaced with a few minutes to go, his exit was met with thunderous applause.
Fans have criticised his displays since he joined the club, and rightly so for the most part.
But throughout, every single one of them has willed him to succeed; to be the player we know he can be.
Stephen Goldsmith alluded to it on the Wise Men Say reaction show following Tuesday’s win.
It’s been said countless times: “All he needs is one to go in off his a*** and he’ll kick on.”
The striker even said something similar himself.
But despite levelling things up at Burnley in the Carabao Cup, and firing home during the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final at Bristol Rovers to set Sunderland on their way to Wembley last season, as well as others, there hasn’t been a spark.
He still struggled to get into games, didn’t find form, and eventually, found himself back on the bench.
However, Grigg now faces a new opportunity.
Instead of Marc McNulty, Phil Parkinson chose the 28-year-old to lead the line against Tranmere in Charlie Wyke’s absence.
And with Wyke sidelined for over a month, the spontaneously combustible frontman now has the chance to play one of the most important roles in Sunderland’s history.
Whether he takes that chance, however, is another matter.
Here’s hoping he does.
The Sunderland Echo has launched a new SAFC weekly podcast called The Roar! Every Thursday our team of SAFC writers Phil Smith, Richard Mennear, Mark Donnelly and James Copley discuss the big talking points of the week, whether it be takeover, transfer or tactics-related - we discuss it all! With Sunderland again battling for automatic promotion from League One, we also answer fan questions and read out the best and funniest reader anecdotes as fans share their memories of following the Lads home and away over the years. Our new 45-minute podcast is recorded at the University of Sunderland and it is published online and in all the usual podcast places every Thursday evening for readers to listen to. We'll also have special guests joining us throughout the season. To get involved, simply tweet a question to @sunechosafc and we'll fire the best at Phil and the team every week!