Sunderland take on Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday, in what feels like a huge game for the Black Cats.
Sunderland have very little to play for this season, it seems.
But after that 5-1 defeat vs Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday, Saturday afternoon’s home game against Bristol City now feels like an important game for the club.
It’s a big one for Mike Dodds and the players.
A huge reaction is needed after that horror show vs Blackburn, as another defeat could really send the fanbase into meltdown after what’s been a worsening 2023/24 season.
Dodds was furious at the Blackburn performance and he looks set to ring the changes at the Stadium of Light for the visit of Bristol City.
Mike Dodds Sunderland team selection hint
Dodds has revealed ahead of the Bristol City game that he won’t be experimenting with the line-up or the shape, but that every player now has to earn the right to play.
And it suggests that a few players could quickly fall out of favour; nobody impressed vs Bristol City, though names like Callum Styles, Luke O’Nien, Pierre Ekwah, and Patrick Roberts struggled more than most.
So we can expect to see a fair few changes to the side on Saturday afternoon, especially with Jack Clarke likely being thrown back into the starting XI.
Anthony Patterson is another name who’s been fairly solid in recent weeks and so there seems to be no doubt about his starting spot against Bristol City.
But if there’s one other player who seems destined to start against Bristol City, it’s teen sensation Chris Rigg.
Chris Rigg 2023/24 season
Rigg is enjoying a standout season in the Championship.
The 16-year-old, who’s had interest from the likes of Bayern Munich this season, has scored three goals in all competitions for Sunderland this season, with two in 15 Championship appearances.
He came off the bench and scored Sunderland’s consolation goal vs Bristol City.
Recently captaining England’s U17s, Rigg looks like he’s starting to make a real impact in the first-team.
On his first league start for the club against Leicester City in March, Rigg was the standout player, playing without fear and not looking out of place in senior football.
Chris Rigg deserves starting spot vs Bristol City
Rigg came off the bench and gave Sunderland a bit of energy on Monday.
He got a deserved goal and with Sunderland’s wide players like Roberts and Romaine Mundle struggling to do anything spectacular, and Adil Aouchiche in the no.10 role not having his best game on Monday either, Rigg looks set to come into the XI somewhere.
But where remains the debate.
Dodds seems to prefer Rigg in the no.10 role and so he could place the teenager there, and potentially bring Aouchiche deeper into midfield alongside Dan Neil, sending a message to the lax Ekwah.
A reaction is certainly needed against Bristol City.
Dodds is also starting to come under the spotlight amid this poor run of form, inevitably, with his selections ad substitutions a cause for concern.
But a win against Bristol City would do him, the players, and the fans a world of good.
Kick off is at 3pm.