O’Brien makes other Cats around him better, says LJ
Lee Johnson says Aiden O'Brien's versatility is a major asset as he bids to force his way into the starting XI more regularly.
O'Brien has seen his gametime limited in the early weeks of the new campaign, with Elliot Embleton's return and Alex Pritchard's arrival seeing a shift in Sunderland's usual attacking set-up.
O'Brien took his chance to impress at Blackpool on Tuesday night with a superb hat-trick, securing a trip to Wigan Athletic in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Irishman started on the left wing, a position he often played in at previous club Millwall.
It's one Johnson believes he can make a success of on a regular basis, and one that offers him another potential route into the league side.
"He's another one of those who is very versatile," Johnson said.
"I think he sees himself as a nine at times, and I probably see him more as a nine-and-a-half or an eleven cutting in from the left.
"When I played against him at Millwall, I always thought that his running power was really dangerous and difficult to deal with when he cut inside from the left.
"But at the same time, as I said after the game on
Tuesday, I think his performances last season deserved a lot of respect.
"He made other players around him better, even if he wasn't getting the limelight in terms of the goals.
"When Aiden played, Charlie (Wyke) tended to score more goals, get more touches and have more an influence. A lot of that was because Aiden was occupying defenders and running in behind.
"He can play two or three positions for us, I think.
"He helps us out defensively, definitely.
"He has that ability to float inside the pitch which can be really useful for us, and being a good footballer we can trust him on the ball.
"He's a very valued member of the squad and I'm delighted he got that reward the other night."
Competition for places in those forward areas remains significant, with Aiden McGeady set to return to the matchday squad when Wycombe Wanderers visit the Stadium of Light this afternoon.