Pierre is in a good spot - Dodds

SUNDERLAND interim boss Mike Dodds believes midfield ace Pierre Ekwah is ‘reaping the rewards’ from being more focused on his game.

Like many others throughout this campaign, the Frenchman has shown flashes of the brilliance he displayed last term in the play-off chase, but has failed to display this quality on a consistent basis for Sunderland and as such his performance levels have dipped beneath where the Black Cats faithful, and coaching staff know where they can be.

The former West Ham youth product started the season where he left off from last, showcasing his ability to dominate the middle of the park with ease, with line-breaking passes, quality interceptions and getting his name on the scoresheet with a long-range effort on occasion.

Yet, since his thigh injury sustained at QPR back in mid-september, he has failed to get back to his best form. However, of late the 22-year-old has started to recreate the displays which saw him linked with a multi-million pound move to the Bundesliga in the previous summer window, with his dominant display in the middle of the park at The Hawthorns epitomised by his deft half-volley finish to win the game for Sunderland.

Dodds said of Ekwah after the win over West Brom: “I think Pierre has got good technique, and I think Pierre is in a good spot, I’ve just said to him when he tidies up the bits he needs to tidy up with and there is a little bit more focus, you’re starting to see a really good midfield player.”

December Northern

Likewise,

Albion