One Sunderland player ‘epitomises’ the whole team, says former Black Cats striker Marco Gabbiadini.
Sunderland picked up another woeful result last time out, losing 1-0 away at Watford in the Championship.
It leaves interim boss Mike Dodds with just two wins and three draws from 12 games in charge; Michael Beale had four wins and two draws from his 12 games at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats now sit in 15th and are officially condemned to a bottom half finish in the Championship this season.
A huge summer lies ahead, and one thing is clear for Kristjaan Speakman.
Sunderland need one thing this summer
As has been the case for several transfer windows now, Sunderland need firepower.
They need to replace the long lost goals of Ross Stewart in attack; especially with Jack Clarke looking like he’s set to leave this summer.
That, and some experience within the ranks could set the next Sunderland manager up for a more positive season next time round.
Overall though, and especially if Clarke leaves along with Anthony Patterson for example, Sunderland need a bit of star quality.
Marco Gabbiadini says one Sunderland player ‘epitomises’ the squad
And speaking on Total Sport this week, BBC pundit Gabbiadini has given his verdict on the state of the squad, and of midfielder Adil Aouchiche.
The 21-year-old joined from Lorient last summer and has since featured 27 times in the Championship, scoring twice and assisting twice.
It’s been something of a mixed maiden season for the central midfielder though, who’s been in and out of the team under all three of Sunderland’s managers this season.
He’s come into the fold more so under Dodds, but Gabbiadini says Aouchiche is lacking power and cutting edge.
Gabbiadini said on Aouchiche:
“I like him. I think he’s busy, he looks a bit mischievous, but he hasn’t got that power that you need at the key moments. I think he epitomises, again, the whole group really.”
What Marco Gabbiadini means by ‘power’
Whilst power may refer to actual physicality, which is something else Sunderland may be lacking in, Gabbiadini seems to be referring to firepower.
Previous comments from Gabbiadini on the lack of firepower in the Sunderland team suggest this, and he’s not wrong.
Aouchiche had a spell last month where he looked like Sunderland’s most dangerous player.
But now it’s almost 50/50 whether or not he starts, summing up his and his team’s lack of consistency and quality this season.
Aouchiche remains a very young player, though.
And it’s only his first season in England, so some patience may be required where he and certain other names are regarded.
But, if next season Aouchiche doesn’t seem to improve his game and doesn’t start adding goals or assists to his name, then it could land the club in a difficult position.
They’ve invested in Aouchiche and will want to see him blossom and become another valuable asset, though they could end up being stuck with a misfiring player.
He’s under contract until 2028 and so if Aouchiche doesn’t prevail, Sunderland will then have a financial burden.
But there’s plenty of potential where Aouchiche is regarded and if he can put those finishing touches on his game, he could become a key player next season.
