Update from Jack Ross: "Bryan Oviedo should be back in the squad he just had a knock. Duncan Watmore will be back in the squad but Adam Matthews and George Honeyman remain out.” "Lee is an important player to lose but when you are playing every week that’s something that will happen. Every squad in the league is stretched and we are the same. We’d prefer him not to be suspended but it is what it is." "It has been quite a dramatic upturn in Josh Maja's fortunes. He has gone from being someone who has potential to actually showing what he can do on a regular basis. The speculation goes with the territory, it doesn’t bother me and I don’t think it has affected him." "As long as Josh Maja is a Sunderland player and as long as he continues to play and perform at the level he has so far this season, then he will always be a part of my plan. I would love him to commit his future to the club." "To have only lost two league games and to have scored in every league match shows we have had a good season to date. If we can replicate it in the second half of the season then it gives us a really good chance." "I do feel we are further ahead of where we should be. The upheaval in the summer meant we've been playing catch up. The players deserve an enormous amount of credit. As manager, I don’t deserve anything. It is my job to get this club successful again." https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/january/press-conference-v-charlton-athletic
Good man. Practically a local game for me, so it'd be a shame to miss it. And the wife has plans for my weekend, so I'm keen to get out the house
He came across as a decent fella in our documentary. Hope he stays injury free and has a decent season......after weekend.
Think he's a decent footballer plagued by massive injury issues - someone I'd have here if he was injury free!
Yeah you're probably right. Jack Ross had said that he would play Maja whatever the outcome but we shall see...
You would have thought his head would not be in the right place anyway - If he does play it will be interesting to see the fans reaction
We need to plan for life without him now do i dont see the point in playing him to be honest. The reception he'll get from tbe fans wont be great either so playing him is more trouble than its worth.
Our owner has asked the fans not to indulge in that - I for one won't be getting on his back and would have a go at anyone who does. This is why the owner made it public and advised of the whole situation. There is absolutely no profit to be made by having a go at him - it'll surely only be detriment to the team if we get on his back.
Yes i agree but theres always a minority of brainless fans that think otherwise. I still say we need to plan ahead now so id go Wyke/Watmore up top
I'd still play him - he's still the best striker we have at the club - obviously depends on where his head is at due to his agent being a **** (wonder if he realises that it's his agent that's caused this too - I'd be looking for different representation if I were him - although I have no idea how all of that works)
I'd still play him, Maja currently has a better strike rate than Marco did in 1987-88 , the Charlton fans are celebrating the win already. This is going to be interesting https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/would-you-still-start-josh-15630830
Personally I'd buy whoever we have lined up as his replacement (trusting in our new hierarchy to have a plan B in place) and send him back to the U23's till he either goes or signs. Doubt JR will do this though.
I'd start him in a heartbeat, Jack Ross says he's training really well and he's just had his best three games for us over Christmas/New Year so why not let him play if his head is in a good place. If he goes, and it's still a big if then the pressure is on Charlie Wyke and Duncan Watmore to start scoring goals. As for Sinclair I asked on another thread if we have the option to send him back this month as he's been completely underwhelming and we could use his spot for someone who offers us more either another loan or permanent. Anybody got any ideas?
Yep. Have to say I wouldn’t take the risk of playing him tomorrow. Watmore and Wyke could be profitable
