Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: Injuries Highlight Recruitment Misjudgement

This latest edition of the Sunderland weekly round-up looks back at the past seven days on Wearside. It was a week that saw the Black Cats lose to their North East rivals and also lose their top scorer through injury.

It was also announced the type of player that Tony Mowbray and the recruitment team were looking for ahead of the transfer window closing. Surprisingly it was not in the area that most would have thought would be the priority.

Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: Squad Short on Numbers in Key Areas Following Recruitment Failure

Striker Ross Stewart Injured

Top scorer Ross Stewart was injured during the warm-up of the Black Cats’ last game at Middlesbrough. The Scotland international who has been in fine form this season could be out of action for eight to 12 weeks with a thigh injury. At best, Stewart could return at the beginning of November. If not, then it may be after the World Cup when fans see him back in action.

Stewart joins Dennis Cirkin, Daniel Ballard, Edouard Michut and Niall Huggins on the treatment table.

Defeat at Middlesbrough

Ross Stewart’s injury just minutes before kick-off was felt by the rest of the team. Head coach Tony Mowbray had to change personnel and tactics at short notice. Patrick Roberts replaced Stewart leaving Ellis Simms as a lone striker. The changes disrupted Sunderland’s normal style and they struggled to get into the game. Despite having chances to score, Sunderland were second best for much of the game and came away from the Riverside Stadium with a 1-0 defeat.

Sunderland Weekly Round-Up: No Striker Targeted Before Transfer Window Closed

🗣️ The Sunderland boss provides the inside track on deadline day #SAFC https://t.co/LepJZlnTN7

— Sunderland Echo SAFC (@sunechosafc) September 10, 2022

To the surprise of many, it has been revealed that Sunderland were not looking for another striker before the transfer window closed. The Black Cats’ preferred formation this season has seen them play with two strikers in Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms. However, these are the only two strikers that they have in the first-team squad.

Sunderland played a dangerous game by not targeting another forward and just days later their top scorer was injured indicating that the club’s recruitment personnel misjudged the importance of having a strong squad. They now either have to play a different formation, play players out of position, look into the free transfer market or promote a striker from their academy.

Despite recruiting several talented players, Sunderland were not looking at another striker. When asked about whether they had been looking at signing another forward by the Sunderland Echo Tony Mowbray said: “Not really, no.

This Week’s Games Are Set to Go Ahead

The EFL released a statement on Monday morning with regards to football fixtures resuming following the death of the Queen last Thursday. The EFL, Premier League and other British football associations decided to cancel all fixtures last week as a mark of respect by the national sport.

However, it appears that fixtures will commence again from Tuesday 13th September. The EFL statement read:

“The EFL fixture programme will return as scheduled from Tuesday 13 September, with tributes to be paid to Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at grounds around the country.

A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums.

With a national policing plan now in operation, the League and Clubs will continue to work with forces in respect of any challenges that may emerge regarding policing of specific fixtures.

Consideration to individual circumstances will be made on a case-by-case basis, in line with standard match Safety Advisory Group (SAG) protocols.”