Reece’s pieces keep him in game
STARTING SLOT IS SAFE FOR JAMES – ROSS
REECE James has been told his place in Sunderland’s starting XI is safe – as long as he continues to perform.
The summer signing started the season third choice left-back on Wearside, behind Costa Rica international Bryan Oviedo and academy graduate Denver Hume.
But a three-game suspension for Oviedo and a knee injury to Hume has given James a first-team chance and the 24-year-old has seized it with both hands, starting each of the last five games in all competitions and helping the Black Cats win on each occasion. Hume remains sidelined but Oviedo was available again for last weekend’s game against Southend, however manager Jack Ross is a big believer in sticking with the man in-form and that meant former Wigan Athletic man James kept his place and is set to do so again this weekend as Sunderland head to Plymouth Argyle. “I mentioned it post-Shrewsbury that I’m the manager of a big squad but I’ve seen plenty of big squads before and I’m sure there are other through the leagues this season but it only works if you’ve got them all at it,” said Ross.
“I’m very lucky at the moment that I’ve got a group of players who all want to play.
“It’s not just their attitude, but their response to getting opportunities which has been really good and Reece has strong competition for his place not just from Bryan but from Denver when he gets fit but he got an opportunity through circumstances and he’s taken it.
“If he continues to do that, he’ll continue to play and Bryan knows that as well. When the opportunity comes to Bryan, it will be the same for him.
“I would hope so because I’ve been fairly consistent on that and Southend was an example of it. “When players are in and they’re playing well, they’ll keep playing and if there are changes there’s usually a reason behind it which is explained to them.
“If you’re open in your communication with players, generally the reaction is a positive one and that’s been the case to date.”
When Ross has been able to name the same back four and goalkeeper in each of the last four games, Sunderland have kept clean sheets in three of those matches.
If you’re open in your communication with players, generally the reaction is a positive one