Mike Dodds has claimed he has shown what he is ‘prepared to do’ with one decision he has made at Sunderland.
Mike Dodds was appointed as interim coach following Michael Beale’s sacking almost two months ago, but hasn’t had much to cheer about since.
Sunderland have managed only one win under the 37-year-old, as well as suffering five defeats.
The Black Cats now find themselves in 13th place with nothing to really play for, while fans are eagerly awaiting to see who will replace Dodds in the summer.
Despite a dreadful spell in charge at the Stadium of Light, Dodds does believe he has done well in one aspect.
While he is one of Sunderland’s most promising players, Chris Rigg was still waiting to make his first start for the club following Beale’s exit.
The teenager eventually made his full debut against Leicester and has made a further three starts since.
Mike Dodds doesn’t want to ‘blow his own trumpet’
Rigg has been excellent for the senior team despite their poor form, and Dodds is eager to take some credit for giving opportunities to young players.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, the coach said: “The younger lads have been training with us regularly, and I think that’s really important in terms of their development.
“My background is developing players, and I think I’ve shown what I’m prepared to do with Chris Rigg. I gave Chris his first start against Leicester and played him against Southampton, two teams with Premier League budgets.
“Without blowing my own trumpet, I’ve shown that I will play young players in the big games. Playing young players is something I will never, ever not do. They will get an opportunity in terms of that – the door is open – but at the same time, you have to get a balance. You have to make sure the environment is right for them, and obviously off the back of a 5-1 defeat definitely wouldn’t be the right environment for a young player.
“Earning the right to play for this wonderful football club is important, you can’t just be given the right,” Dodds added.
“I’ve said in previous press conferences, I don’t want the last five games to be an experiment. I want to win the last five games. Results haven’t gone how I want the results to go, but I’m not going to experiment in the last five games just for the sake of experimenting. If they get an opportunity, it will be completely deserved.”
Several Sunderland gems are ‘banging on the door’
Mike Dodds did well to finally be the one to trust in Chris Rigg from the start, though I’m not sure he really had much choice given how badly we were playing and how frustrated supporters were getting that he still hadn’t been given a chance.
However, he has clearly been very reluctant to give any other young players the opportunity to experience senior football.
Journalist James Copley has claimed there are a number of youngsters ‘banging on the door’, but don’t seem to be getting a sniff.
We have nothing to play for, and while I don’t expect the likes of Tom Watson and Harrison Jones to be starting games, I see no harm in awarding them with a place on the bench.
Mason Burstow is one player who is consistently in the dugout, but didn’t even come on against Bristol City.
The striker doesn’t belong to us, so surely it makes more sense to replace him with one of our exciting young stars instead.