JACK COLBACK says the arrival of Liam Bridcutt should give him the licence to be an attacking threat on a more consistent basis. Academy product Colback produced a man of the match display in last weekendâs Tyne-Wear derby after he had a hand in Sunderlandâs opening two goals before netting the third himself. It was only the fourth goal in more than 100 Sunderland appearances for the 24-year-old, who has been looking to develop a sharper attacking edge for the last couple of years. But with deadline day signing Bridcutt happy to sit in front of the back and offer a protective presence in Gus Poyetâs three-man central midfield, Colback wants to use the capture of the former Brighton man to offer more going forwards. Colback told the Echo: âLiam handled it (his Premier League debut) very well last weekend. âHe was obviously thrown in at the deep end a little bit, but heâs composed on the ball and heâs a good player. He can deal with it. âHeâll be massively important for us. âI think that role is the key one for the manager. Catts (Lee Cattermole) has been there and has done well in it too. âLiam came in and heâs done well. He reads the game well and he looks a very good player. âWeâre over the moon to have him. âWith him holding, it gives us the licence to get forwards.â Bridcutt was not the only one of Colbackâs team-mates who helped him to shine on Tyneside. The performance of lone striker Jozy Altidore was key to Sunderlandâs 3-0 victory, as the American produced arguably his best display for the Black Cats in physically dominating Newcastleâs centre-halves. And Colback admits that if Altidore can provide a platform like that, it gives the midfielders a chance to feed off him. He added: âIt was coming off quite often at Newcastle. âThey seemed to let us run a bit and Jozy was fantastic in holding it up and doing all the things that maybe wonât get highlighted.
I think both Colback and Jozy need to kick on from the derby display, understandings are developing all over the pitch at the moment, but there is still a lot of work to do. I am not sure about Jozy as he looks to slow in the advanced positions, but with quick players around him he may just fit the bill, but he needs to score a goal or two soon.
I dont mind if jozy is not scoring as long as the team is getting goals. If he can maintain the level of recent performances and keep leading the line im happy with that.
He's a striker Stu, scoring goals is everything. He had a good game but he's usually ****e. He should be on our bench at very best. I never rated him at Hull, I never rated him after that and I don't rate him now. Hopefully Scocco puts him on the bench.
A goal tomorrow would be nice, preferably the first in a 3-0, I've taken that at 65/1. Come on Jozy, do the business.
That much was clear last week against the skunks. I dont ever recall him involved in so much action up front. LB could be the signing of the season, even better than Alonso, because of the security he gives behind midfield, we could be much more attack-minded than the first half of the season. I know the oppo last week was particulary poor, but if we can be as agressive as that, week in week out to the end of the season then I'm very confident that we'll hit the 40 point marker before the last 3 or 4 games of the season, (which are potentially toughies, if we are still struggling for points right at the end).
Don't know if I did or didn't. Probably not as I don't recall. Anyways how would you know that 'newbie sunderland fan to the forum' Just **** off you stupid cow
For 5m he didnt look a bad signing at the time going off his goal scoring record in his first season in the Prem for Swansea and his goal record for Watford How was anybody to know he'd turn out to be so sh!te. Stop being a nob, the threads about Colback!
I announced that we were trailing him about 6 months before the news broke that we had signed him. I know that, I also know he had a history of scoring goals, I honestly don't know if I said he would be a good signing. Which other identity on here are you? ACS, by any chance?
Colback has needed to add attacking prowess to his game for a while. I think it speaks volumes that Poyet understands that Jack still has years of development left in him and is willing to try and add an extra dimension to Colback's game.