There’s no doubt that Josh is a Maja talent - Glenn
DUTCH ACE HAILS BLACK CATS STRIKER
GLENN Loovens has described Josh Maja as “spectacular” after the teenager reached double-figure goals for the season.
The striker, who does not turn 20 until December, has not been at the top of his game recently, after being troubled by an ankle injury.
He was quiet for 90 minutes during Tuesday’s Football League Trophy group game at Morecambe, but produced the moment that mattered in added time by converting Bryan
Oviedo’s cross for a
1-0 win. It was Maja’s first goal since the October 6 victory at Bradford, but his tenth of the campaign. Veteran defender Loovens has been impressed by Maja since they started working together in August. “He’s spectacular,” said the former Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday and Celtic centre-back. “You have to wait once a week, we see it every day in training. I know exactly what he can do and he proved it again.” If the 90 minutes were good for Maja, who was making only his third start since the Valley Parade game, it was even more useful for Loovens (pictured left).
The Dutchman had not featured since picking up an injury at the start of the Coventry City match on September 29, but could be in line to start against Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend. Tom Flanagan is unavailable on international duty, and either Loovens or Alim Ozturk are likely to take his place. Both played the full game in a back three.
Since the draw at home to Oxford United on September 1, Ozturk’s only starts have come in the cups.
Loovens felt at a disadvantage because he joined Sunderland as a free agent late in the pre-season. The 35-year-old was, though, able to play nine of the first 10 league matches of the campaign.
“As a player it doesn’t matter what age you are, you need to have a good base and that comes from pre-season,” he argued. “I was already fighting against the tide a bit, but I had to be there because there was no other choice. That’s football and you deal with it and get on with it.
“Of course I tried to play to the best of my ability.
“I had eight or nine games then got injured and things happen in football. Someone else (Flanagan) got their chance and took it and fair enough if they’re keeping clean sheets and winning games, you won’t hear me complaining.
“In England, the leagues are so tough with the cup competitions as well that you need everyone in the squad,” Loovens argued. “We’re going to need everyone.
“We went to Morecambe with the right attitude. Max (Power), after a few suspensions, had to get back in the swing of things and Bryan as well. It was good for the ones who have not played regularly.”
He’s spectacular. You have to wait once a week, we see it every day in training. I know exactly what he can do Glenn Loovens