Recent reports have suggested that Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe may take advantage of the recall option on Lewis Grabban and take him back in January. The striker has been prolific this season while on loan at Sunderland, even though the Black Cats have struggled. Without his goals they could be in bigger trouble than they already are.
New Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has much to do in January as he attempts to get his side moving up the table. One of his first pieces of business must be to keep striker a Grabban at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland Must Keep Lewis Grabban in January
Championship Quality
After a spell on loan at a Reading last season, he helped the club reach the play-off final, but it was not enough to convince Eddie Howe that he warranted a place in his Premier League squad. Sunderland were in desperate need of a striker after England’s Jermain Defoe departed. The then manager Simon Grayson turned to Lewis Grabban to help fill the void left by the experienced prolific marksman.
Grabban had previous experience in the Championship, helping both Bournemouth and Norwich to promotion and scoring plenty of goals along the way. In recent times his scoring rate and form has suffered, however, his ability could not be questioned. If Grabban could replicate the form he had shown in his previous seasons in the Championship then the season-long loan deal will have proved to have been an excellent piece of business.
Injury
Grabban began the season well, scoring on his debut and then netting two in his next game. The team’s loss of form and the inability of others to score saw Sunderland slip down the table. Soon after, an injury meant Grabban missed the next five matches. In his absence, the Black Cats dropped into the Championship’s relegation places.
Grabban made his return in mid-October. Since then, he has scored an impressive eight goals. Sadly for the club and their fans, only one victory has been recorded during this period and the team still occupy a relegation place. Without Grabban’s goals, the situation could look even worse.
Return and Amongst the Goals
New Sunderland manager Chris Coleman will have little funds to spend on new recruits unless he can generate money from player sales. One of his first pieces of business must be to convince Bournemouth to let him keep Grabban at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season or at a knockdown price they can afford.
With Coleman beginning to realise how massive the job he has taken on is, he needs all the help he can get. New players, whether it be on loan or permanent, are certain to come into the club; however, the loss of a striker who already has 11 goals would be a major blow to Coleman and the club as they battle to avoid successive relegations. Especially with too few other players helping out in front of goal.
Sunderland should have enough quality to avoid relegation, although nothing can be taken for granted in football. The team are still looking for their first home win of the season and have secured just two victories all season in the league. A good January transfer window, which includes keeping hold of Grabban, could make or break the Black Cats’ season.
Sunderland have a very good manager in Coleman and his passion and determination has won fans over quickly. However, help from the owner and the players giving it their all is vital. Watch this space, as the next few weeks and the January transfer window could be very interesting.
Main Photo
