Former Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has hailed one Black Cats star who is a ‘pressing machine’.
Sunderland have lacked intensity for much of this season.
Last time round under Tony Mowbray, the Black Cats were a really energetic team and one who never gave the opposition a minute’s rest.
But after Michael Beale’s 12-game tenure, and the divisive tactics of current interim boss Mike Dodds, Sunderland now seem like quite a slow team.
Sunderland lack of energy evident during Millwall defeat
Sunderland lost 1-0 at home to Millwall in their last outing before the 1-0 defeat at Watford on Saturday.
And it was arguably one of the worst and most bland performances of the season with Sunderland fans venting their anger at Dodds after the game.
It lacked intensity and summed up an overall poor season, and the quite dramatic change in tempo from when the team were playing under Mowbray.
But there’s still a few players who are putting in 100% and who continue to play with the necessary intensity.
Lee Cattermole in awe of Sunderland gem Chris Rigg
Cattermole recently appeared on Total Sport.
He discussed a number of things including Sunderland’s season so far and what the owners need to do in the summer.
Cattermole also discussed Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg.
The 16-year-old has now featured 20 times in the Championship this season, scoring twice.
And as the season’s gone on, Rigg has become more and more of a regular starter in the Black Cats XI, starting the last six games now.
Having his say on Sunderland’s recent form and then on Rigg, Cattermole said:
“I don’t see a group of young players, talented young players, playing with freedom… They’ve got to be on the pitch making decisions off what they’re seeing and feeling on the game. Look at Chris Rigg for example. Chris Rigg looks like a pressing machine.
“He looks like the one player who plays with intensity; in possession, out of possession, which merits a Sunderland shirt. He’s got to be grabbing hold of the game… He’s 16 years old, but he looks like somebody who wants to go and press one midfielder, drops, goes back to the centre-half… Let him go and chase that down. The likes of Seb Larsson, the likes of Fabio Borini, used to do that.”
What next for Chris Rigg
Rigg turns 17 this summer and is reportedly going to sign a professional contract at Sunderland.
And going into next season as a pro, with a season of Championship experience under his belt, he may well be relied upon to really get this Sunderland team going.
He’s certainly showed no signs of being unable to cope in the second tier.
Despite his age, he’s been one of the Black Cats’ best performers over the past few weeks.
Like Cattermole says, he’s one of the few who really chase down opposition defenders and who really encompass what that old Mowbray-style of play was all about.
Cattermole’s comparisons to former fan favourites Seb Larsson and Fabio Borini are also high praise of the teenager.
Expect big things from Rigg next season, providing he does stay at the Stadium of Light.
