Roberts in contention but Clarke still missing
Black Cats in need of forward thinking
AS SUNDERLAND fans turn their attention to the opening of the summer window, we take our third and final look at the Black Cats players who should be kept on Wearside, sent away on loan for development, or be sold on to pastures new.
Today, Ethan Todd assesses the current goal-scoring talents on the Black Cats’ books.
PATRICK ROBERTS
ANOTHER member of the Cats squad who has had their season dampened by injuries, but whenever the tricky winger features his majestic dribbling ability is a constant thorn in the side of Championship defences.
His output has diminished, but his threat still persists.
If the new head coach to be can get someone for Roberts to play off, as former loanee Amad Diallo did so well on Wearside, then Sunderland can once more strike fear into the heart of second-tier defences.
Verdict: Keep
ROMAIN MUNDLE
DESPITE his evident rawness, the 20-year-old has shown flashes of great skill and directness with the ball since his January switch from Standard Liege.
It’s worth mentioning the similarities in style between Mundle and Jack Clarke, a promising sign for the Black Cats’ attack. His ability to be deployed on either flank and pose a threat is an added bonus for the flexibility of the frontline.
Verdict: Keep
JACK CLARKE
IT IS painful for the Black Cats faithful to admit, but the worst is probably going to come true in the summer.
In the words of Clarke’s agent, Ian Harte, who told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast in February: “Sunderland didn’t feel like they wanted to sell the player in the January window.
“But hopefully this summer we’ll probably see Jack moving. Where it may be, we don’t know just yet, but he’s in a good place.”
Inevitably, there will be casualties with the club’s recruitment model, and if Sunderland can’t afford to break their wage structure for the 15-goal winger, then a sizeable sale reinvested into other areas of the squad would suffice.
Verdict: Sell LUIS HEMIR
ON PAPER, the Portuguese youngster could be the answer to Sunderland’s goalscoring problems, but it is clear he can’t cut it at Championship level yet.
No physical presence, goal threat or link-up play – the Benfica academy product has shown no sign he is the answer for the Black Cats’ coming campaign.
This disappointing deal needs to be chalked up next to that of ex-cats winger Isaac Lihadji, and moved on from.
Verdict: Sell
MASON BURSTOW
HIGHLY-RATED Chelsea loanee has managed to find the net only once in 20 appearances since his temporary switch from Stamford Bridge to Sunderland. The Black Cats have no obligation to buy the 20-year-old, and it would be bewildering if they choose to do so.
Burstow, akin to Hemir, is simply not ready in any capacity for a side hunting promotion to the top flight to hang their hat on to consistently find the back of the net.
The young duo are a far cry from former frontmen Ellis Simms and Ross Stewart from the 22/23 play-off defeat campaign.
Verdict: Do not buy
NAZARIY RUSYN
OUT of all forwards recruited last summer, Rusyn has shown the most promising signs – with his pace, directness and tenacity in pressing all showcasing that there is merit in the 24-year-old’s ability.
Tony Mowbray, Michael Beale and Mike Dodds all have admitted that the former Dynamo Kyiv frontman has experienced difficulties adapting to life on Wearside while learning a new language and area.
However, Rusyn has notched six goals and two assists in 27 appearances without a consistent run of games, so there are promising signs that the Ukrainian can hit double figures next term and help the Black Cats get back to their free-scoring best.
Verdict: Keep
ELIEZER MAYENDA
The 18-year-old has only featured twice since January loan at Hibernian, highlighting he clearly needs more minutes under his belt to develop therefore another temporary move away would be the best option to aid the Spaniard’s development.
Verdict: Loan
On the subject of strikers, it is imperative that the Wearside recruitment staff recruit an out-and-out frontman during the coming window.
PATRICK Roberts could return for Sunderland over the Easter weekend but Mike Dodds warned, “we have to be mindful he has had two hamstring injuries this year”.
Less edifying news is that “there is still a question mark over Jack Clarke” according to the Black Cats interim head coach whose time in charge has been blighted by injuries.
Speaking ahead of the trip to face Cardiff tomorrow – plus the home game with Blackburn Rovers on Monday – Dodds said: “Pat [Roberts] has done three or four sessions now so is training with the group.
“Obviously we’ve got to be mindful he has had two hamstring injuries this year as we’ve got two games in a short space of time. Or three games if you include the following Saturday [home to Bristol City].”
Touching on other players, Dodds added: “Corry [Evans] has been training full contact now. So he is back with the group. Aji [Alese] played some minutes for the U21s so he is back training.
“Jack [Clarke] is still a question mark at the moment. We were hoping, based on his history, that he would be quicker than the prognosis but unfortunately that’s not the case.
“So Jack is out on the grass, he is running, but I don’t think he’s going to be available this weekend. “Bradley Dack is available.”
Dodds confirmed Nazariy Rusyn will remain out with a calf problem for the foreseeable future.
There is worse news concerning Jenson Seelt. “It’s the worst case for Jenson and we are looking at six to nine months,” said Dodds. “I have never experienced anything like this in my time at the club. I feel for Jenson. Just when he was going to get his opportunity and this happened.”