Tony has no issues with Joe coming deep, linking up play
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray says new signing Joe Gelhardt will be given licence to drop into deeper positions, but also needs to pose a threat in the opposition’s box.
The 20-year-old forward, whoisonloanfromLeeds,has madetwoappearancesforthe Black Cats and tried to link up playwhenhissidehaveinpossession.YetwithSunderland’s top scorer Ross Stewart set to be sidelined for the rest of the season, Mowbray is short of optionswhenlookingforplayers who can lead the line.
The Black Cats boss therefore needs attacking players such as Patrick Roberts, Jack Clarke, Amad and Alex Pritchard to contribute with more goals, as well as Gelhardt.
When asked about the Leeds loanee dropping deep andhowhecanuseGelhardt’s assets, Mowbray mentioned Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who Sunderland cameupagainstintheFACup.
“I think you have to adapt your game really,” Mowbray said.
“Aswhenwe’veplayedwith no strikers you have to make surethatwhentheballiscoming in the box that people are in the box, whether it be the opposite wideman getting in, whether it’s No.10s.
"With Joe I have no issues withhimcomingdeep,linking and joining.
“You saw Mitrovic was like
a masterclass of doing it twice against us in recent weeks, how deep he comes to join in with their build-up and yet always arrives in the box at the right time.
“He either jogs in there because the build-up is slow down the wing and he arrives as the cross comes in, or he’s bursting a lung to get in there because they are fast down the byline and are looking for a cutback.
“I think Joe has got to be like that really, part of the build-up, get involved in the game, can’t just always think you are going to sit on the shoulder and run in behind.
“He’s very technical and he won’t lose the ball for us, even in tight areas he’s a good footballer, but he has to be in the box when the ball arrives, as does Roberts, as does Clarke, Amad or Pritchard.
"Theyhavetogetinthebox to score goals for us as well.”
*Former Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole will step down from his coaching role at Middlesbrough at the end of this month.
The 34-year-old was appointed lead coach of Boro’s Under-18s side in January last year, following his retirement as a player in 2020.
Yet a club statement has confirmed Cattermole will leave the position to ‘pursue the next step in his coaching career.’
“I’vereallyenjoyedmytime with the U18s and can’t thank the club enough for giving me the opportunity,” Cattermole said.
“Over time I’ve realised how important this role is andfortheclubtogivemethat trust is something I’ll always be grateful for.
“I’venevermadeanysecret ofmyambitionsasacoachand I feel now is the right time for me to explore what’s out there and consider fully my next step. I’d like to thank the players and staff for their efforts and opportunities for me to learn alongside them.”
Under-18s assistant coach James Marwood will take charge of the side when Cattermole officially steps down at the end of the month.