Because no matter how well he’s playing as a left centre back, he’s a left back. He’s better as a left back than a centre back. If you were watching us against Sheff Utd, as soon as we switched to a 4 at the back and played people where they’re comfortable playing we looked much better and went up the other end and scored. It’s not rocket science, but playing people in their natural position will bring out the best in them. If people think we’re ever going to be challenging for promotion with O’nein and Cirkin as centre backs they’re sorely mistaken. Cirkin is a hell of a player and I’ll argue til I’m blue in the face with anyone who says otherwise, as I did last season when most of our fanbase were slating him. But he’s a better left back than a left centre back. Far too many of our fans are too naive to look at the bigger picture and think because we play well for a few games with a certain system then that’s how we have to play going forward.
Cirkin will be one of, if not the best LB in a back 4 in the championship by the end of the season. I reckon Neil is building towards a back 4. Great at LCB in a 3 but LB is his position
He took advice from Keylor Navas, and Joel Campbell about coming to Europe. He's coming to increase his footballing performances. Coming to Sunderland was important to him as it helps him fulfil a dream of playing in Europe (continent). Knows he needs to train twice as hard. He's not interested in money, knows that will come later. Was thanking his previous manager for all the opportunities he's been given so far as well.
We've got Bennette, Jewison Bennette I just don't think you understand A Costa Rican kid, could play for Madrid We've got Jewison Bennette
I thought he was poor at left back last season. Good against Sheff Utd agreed, but poor in league 1 and struggled. He looks like a natural left sided in a back 3 up to now. I’m a massive advocate for doing what’s best, but what we did worked against just about every club so far. Why change what is working. I don’t think we’ll move to a back 4. It’s just not he modern game to lay 4-4-2 all the time. It gets found wanting and has for quite some time unless the players are utterly outstanding. And I’m talking upper premier level. Ours (as much as I love how things are), aren’t there
Gotta say I agree here. Think Cirkin has suited the left side of a 3 more than he suited playing as an out and out full back last season. I'm not going to sugar coat it I wasn't overly impressed last season yeah he had good games but there were times when he looked every bit a league one left back. The first 5 games of this season however I think he's been our standout performer at the back solid 7/8 out of 10 every game. I don't know if it's because we've taken away some of his attacking responsibility and let him just concentrate on defending or if he has considerably improved his physicality and concentration over the summer but he's looked every bit the part this season so keep him left side of a 3 for me.
We will still play 4231 on occasions in my opinion. Why buy this young Costa Rican and have Roberts on the bench if we are sticking to a back 3 for the rest of the season. The key will be to sign a good right back. Cirkin is a top, top player at lb or lcb.
Sunderland: Black Cats ‘keen’ on Morgan Fox please log in to view this image ByAdam Clancy Posted on 22 August 2022, 20:05 Football League World editor Sam Rourke has revealed that Sunderland are among a number of clubs who are ‘keen’ on signing Morgan Fox. THE LOWDOWN: DEFENSIVE REINFORCEMENTS The Stadium of Light outfit are reportedly set to win the race to sign Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke on loan for the season, after losing new signing Dan Ballard to injury. It looks as if they want to strengthen at left-back as well, with Dennis Cirkin the only senior option in the squad at the moment in that role. DEAL CLOSE: SUNDERLAND SET TO WIN BATTLE TO SIGN 'INTELLIGENT' 6 FOOT 3 COLOSSUS - REPORT Taking to Twitter, Rourke revealed that Sunderland – along with Swansea City – are ‘keen’ on Fox, although Championship rivals Reading have ‘enquired’ over the Stoke City left-back. The journalist tweeted: “Understand Reading have enquired about Stoke City left-back Morgan Fox. Swansea and Sunderland also keen.” THE VERDICT: NEEDED Alex Neil’s side certainly need cover in the left-back area, and Fox would help to provide just that. The 6 foot 1 ace is vastly experienced in the Championship, with 199 games played in the division for three different clubs, scoring four goals and supplying 15 assists at that level (Transfermarkt). SHOULD SUNDERLAND SIGN FOX? When Stoke signed him from Sheffield Wednesday in 2020 after he rejected the latter’s offer of a long-term contract extension, Potters manager Michael O’Neill sung his praises, highlighting Fox’s ‘defensive acumen, athleticism and delivery from set-plays‘. Also, at 28 years of age, Sunderland would be signing a player in his prime, so this could turn out to be a very shrewd piece of business from the Black Cats if it comes off.
I think it’s more just that he’s absolute ****e. I usually see the positives in potential signings but I’m struggling with this lad. Sheff Weds and Stoke fans a like can’t stand him. I can’t see the link being right anyway. His profile doesn’t fit with our strategy and we have Alese to fulfill the role that he’d be signed to play.
I was at that match and not only did he miss the penalty he nearly put it out the ground. Not good on his CV.
