James still on learning curve with Wearmen
RATHER than sulk at the competition for places at Sunderland, Reece James has tried to make the most of having a World Cup defender in his path.
James found himself as the Black Cats’ third-choice left-back until two weeks ago, when Denver Hume picked up a knee injury at Coventry City and Bryan Oviedo was suspended for a red card against Peterborough United.
Rather than complain, James has been trying to learn from former Everton defender Oviedo – who played for Costa Rica at this summer’s World Cup against Brazil and Switzerland – among others.
“You learn from him every day, and you learn from each other,” said James, who has started Sunderland’s last two matches and seems likely to do so again at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.
“You might see certain things he does in training and you might think ‘I can take that into my game.’ He is someone we all can learn from.
“I picked his brain when I first came here, just asking what the World Cup in the summer was like.
“It is unbelievable to have players like that and like (Lee) Cattermole and (Aiden) McGeady who were unbelievable Premier League players who should not be at this level.
“It is great for somebody like me to play alongside them.”
Oviedo made 50 Premier League appearances for Everton between 2012 and 2017 before joining Sunderland’s unsuccessful fight against top-flight relegation in January 2017.
He is set to win his 49th international cap in Colombia in the early hours of Wednesday UK time but is suspended for the Black Cats’ games against Shrewsbury, Doncaster Rovers and Southend United.
Oviedo has started five League One matches this season, Hume and James three each.
Oviedo was expected to leave in the summer but his wages made finding a new club difficult.
The emergence of 22-year-old Hume, who only made his senior debut as a substitute in last season’s dead rubber against Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been a pleasant surprise.
James was probably expecting more involvement when he joined from Wigan Athletic in the summer but, having twice won the title with the Latics, he knows the importance of squad depth.
He added: “That is what you need, especially when you are aiming to be title winners.
“You have to have competition for places so if someone is not quite on it you have someone there ready to step right in and take over.
“We have done that in various positions already this season – midfield, centre-half, left-back, so right across the pitch we have good options.
“That is what the gaffer (Jack Ross) has done here, he has built a very strong squad.
“When I came to the club I knew it was going to be tough with competition for places, especially with Bryan and Denver because they are both top players.
“That is what you want at a club like Sunderland.
“You want competition and that is what it is all about.
“It is just nice to have an opportunity now and hopefully I can try and build a bit of momentum with each game to try and stay in the team.”
James is keen to make the most of it, saying: “I am very determined. I want to do as well as I can for both the club and myself.
“I have to take this opportunity now with each game.
“The boss has told me to just go out there and show what I can do.
“He said to me there is an opportunity to stay in the team and it is up to me if I take that chance. Hopefully I can do that in the next few games.”