Mr Versatile O’Nien Wright man for Cats
LUKE O’Nien’s versatility has come to the fore again with Sunderland suffering from a shortage of fullbacks, according to Bailey Wright.
With Dennis Cirkin the latest fullback to be ruled out until the New Year, along with Niall Huggins and Denver Hume, O’Nien was deployed at left-back in Sunderland’s weekend win against Ipswich Town - and it was his header from a corner which broke the deadlock in the 2-0 victory.
O’Nien’s positional shift was one of two defensive changes against the Tractor Boys, Wright brought into the starting XI in central defence at the expense of Tom Flanagan.
Ater keeping a clean sheet against Ipswich, boss Lee Johnson is expected to stick with the same back four when the Black Cats take on Shrewsbury Town at the New Meadow tonight.
O’Nien’s ability and willingness to play in multiple positions has seen him play in both full-back roles, as a wing-back, in central defence as well as his natural position in midfield during his time on Wearside and Wright says that adaptability is a valuable strength.
The Australia international said: “That is the beauty of Luke, he is a good footballer and an honest lad who can play multiple positions.
“He will do a job for the team and don’t think you will ever hear a word out of his mouth that he is ever playing out of position, he will never say that.
“I think he just takes on the challenge and that is a credit to him because I thought he did well and got his goal against Ipswich.
“He and I had an interesting discussion at the set-piece, had a little dig at each other and he scored so we were both buzzing for each other.
“I think that is where we talk about honesty with each other, you always want to see your mate do well.
“Luke’s adaptability has been massive for Sunderland over the last two seasons and it was important on Saturday.
“We do a lot of work on set-pieces and it has paid off.
“Not only will us lads be buzzing but so will assistant head coach Jamie McAllister, who is heavily involved with set-pieces, and I think more than anything we are buzzing with our clean sheet because we needed it and deserved it.”
Sunderland’s win against Ipswich ended a run of three successive league defeats which had prompted frank discussions in the dressing room.
Wright says that honesty continued after the Ipswich game, demonstrating the players are willing to critique their performances after a victory as well as after a defeat.
The stopper added: “I think you have to be honest throughout a season - you cannot just be honest when you lose, you have to be honest when you win. “There are probably games where we have not played as well and won and maybe where we have played well and lost.
“That is just football, it is unpredictable.
“You look at other results - Manchester United losing to Watford - and football is so unpredictable.
“It is important as a group you can look each other in the eye and your mate has your back and you have his back. You go out and do your best and if that leads to a win that is the most important thing.”