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Chelsea defeat highlights Sunderland’s lack of firepower
Sunderland’s need for firepower was highlighted yet again on Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, despite creating numerous glorious openings.
In the latter stages of the game the Black Cats had Chelsea on the ropes, but fluffed their lines in front of goal and left London with their tails between their legs.
Sunderland’s never say die attitude under Martin O’Neill has ensured they are a force to be reckoned with in the final 10 minutes of games, subjecting their opponents to wave after wave of attacks. But without a proper goal scorer, they will struggle to brush aside opponents.
If Sunderland are to cement their place in the top 10 – surely the aim for owner and chairman Ellis Short and boss O’Neill – a striker is needed in January.
Since the departures of Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan, former manager Steve Bruce, and now O’Neill, have tried various attacking line-ups and strategies, but goalscoring consistency has eluded them.
Sunderland need another Bent. They need a 15-goal-a-season striker. But this type of player doesn’t grow on trees and they certainly aren’t cheap.
On-loan Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, although decent at holding up the ball and bringing others into play, simply isn’t going to score you 15 goals a season.
Connor Wickham has made a good start to life in the Premier League following his transfer from Ipswich in the summer. However, like Bendtner, he brings physicality to the team, but is unlikely to provide the clinical finish in the final third.
Stephane Sessegnon is another who has played up front this season, but it is clear to see that to utilise his talents fully he must be played behind a striker or on the wing, where he can run at defences and feed balls through to the striker or overlapping players.
Highly rated youngster Ji Dong-won clearly has talent, proving this by scoring a late winner against Manchester City at the Stadium of Light, but the consensus on Wearside is that the forward is not ready and should be eased into English football.
Fraizer Campbell, a long-term absentee after suffering two serious cruciate ligament injuries, should be available soon after making a goal scoring return for the reserves against Blackburn. Before his injury Campbell looked a real prospect, making a significant impact at the start of the 2010 season, but caution must be taken with the former Manchester United striker and he shouldn’t be rushed back into first-team action.
Further down the line, Ryan Noble, a product of Sunderland’s academy is making major strides. His 13 goals at reserve level this season has forced him to the forefront. He looks a real prospect, but he must work on his physicality if he is to make it in the Premier League.
The Chelsea game will have no doubt highlighted the need for an out-and-out goalscorer, but the January transfer window may be a little too early for O’Neill to find the missing piece in Sunderland’s puzzle.
Posted by Sunderland fan Jamie Hopps
Follow Jamie on Twitter @Jamie_Hopps
Reproduced from the Fanzone section of the Life’s A Pitch website. An area where football fans and budding writers share their thoughts. Want to get involved? Contact fanzone@zonecontent.com for more details.
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