please log in to view this image full story....https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...ewart-proves-able-deputy-sunderland-plymouth/ ROSS STEWART is relishing the prospect of playing a leading role in Sunderland’s promotion campaign after excelling as a stand-in striker. The 24-year-old Scot spoke out after helping guarantee the Black Cats' League One play-off berth in the worrying absence of 30-goal leading scorer Charlie Wyke. Stewart grabbed only his second goal in Sunderland colours since moving from Ross County in January to put his team on course for a welcome 3-1 victory over Plymouth, sealed with Chris Maguire and Denver Hume’s late goals. Stewart’s first-half strike was the highlight of an impressive overall display as he made up for lost time while he’s been kicking his heels on the sidelines in Wyke’s shadow. And it was a personal performance that would have eased manager Lee Johnson’s concerns over Wyke’s thigh muscle injury, which meant he remained on Wearside for treatment. Wyke is set for scans this week to determine the seriousness of the injury but if worst does come to worst, Stewart could be ready to fill the void as crunch-time looms.
I like him, I think he will turn out to be a very good signing for us. Tin hat and all that. He is a hell of a lot more mobile than Wyke and offers something different, despite his size indicating that we should just launch it.
cant wait to see him get a proper run out mate, he is looking pretty good in my book, most new signings take a few games to get up to speed
i was getting pissed off with Wyke 2 season of pure crap then LJ brings McGeady back and bang, till he bruised his foot then zilch again, if we have a fit Geads and Stewart i think we would be on a winner
Absolutely this. Whilst Wyke has undoubtedly improved since Johnson got here, I’d still back Stewart in that situation way more than wyke! Personally hope he starts today and Wyke on the bench! And I’m a big advocate of Wyke
I like Wyke and applaud him for his vast improvement under LJ, but as has been said Stewart has looked more mobile from his first start in the shirt and I can see him doing well even in the Championship if we get there. However, does anyone have any idea how many of Wyke's goals have come when he's had to take more than one touch in scoring as I've thought long and hard and can't think of a single goal where he's had to control the ball before scoring. Anybody prove me wrong please.
Not sure that matters in any way. How many of Bent’s were? Or Harry Kane for that matter? It proves, since Johnson got here, that he’s capable of those “darts across defenders” or just being right place right time. He never looked like that under Parkinson. that 1v1 chance which was saved recently, so many said “should have drilled it” or “should’ve gone around the keeper”. It seemed all his fault that he missed rather than anyone giving credit to the keeper as it was a top save.
It wasn't a criticism Marcus, just an observation, there's nowt wrong in one touch goals, doesn't matter how they end up in the net just as long as they do.
Striker Ross Stewart was absent due to a hamstring issue, but Johnson is hopeful that he will be fit enough to play in a friendly at the end of next week as preparations begin in earnest for the play-off semi. "Ross suffered a grade two hamstring tear - or tweak, or strain, depending on how you want to look at it," said Johnson.
Hope he's fit and I hope Johnson gives him a game ahead of Wyke. He showed in 1 game v Plymouth how a striker with mobility can completely change how we play. Our opening goal v Plymouth - if that is Wyke up front, Gooch isn't playing a ball down the line, he's hitting a diagonal onto Wyke's head with the hope of someone picking up a flick on. Stewart has far more pace and mobility than Wyke and I think could be a surprise package against teams who will expect us to get it wide and cross it in for Wyke.
