What happens now with 3 full backs on the shelf until January at least? Do we sign a free agent? Going to be an interesting one
Onien for now, but he is close to a suspension I think. After that I wouldn't be moving Dan Neil there, I'd be playing Dyce or Newall from the u23s to keep the balance.
Flanagan spent a large part of his career playing full back. It amazes me we've never play him at LB He played RB when he first joined the club
dyce looked capable in the pre-season games apart from wanting to be away along the line every time he got the ball, got his head on plenty coming into the box and defended ok...if he has got his head round when to go and when to stay he could fit right in, if not he could be a liability right now.
The lad hasn’t been playing well but was decent yesterday. He did allow them too much space at times particularly first half but he put a brilliant cross in for Stewart’s chance and ultimately got his goal. Undoubtedly he’s playing in a number of positions that aren’t natural to him once again but has my respect and admiration for applying himself and playing through the pain. He really should be having that op sooner rather than later but that’s likely to be January.
he may have been used more as a winger as he seems to be getting more action in the attacking third, i was thinking wing back role but i think he has to be defence or winger as i dont think he has the experience to concentrate on a 'dual role', not knocking the lad as it is not an easy position to play.
LEE JOHNSON has confirmed he may have to delve into the free transfer market as injuries continue to wreak havoc with his defensive options. In the wake of his side's weekend win over Ipswich, the Sunderland head coach revealed that Dennis Cirkin will be out of action until the new year after suffering a hernia injury that will require surgery. That means the former Tottenham youngster will join fellow full-backs Denver Hume and Niall Huggins in the treatment room until the early part of 2022. Carl Winchester and the ever-versatile Luke O’Nien were pressed into action at full-back at the weekend - although the latter continues to be troubled by a partially dislocated shoulder. Both players performed well against the lively Sone Aluko and Kyle Edwards, with O’Nien also showing his prowess in the attacking third as he grabbed a late goal to set his side on their way to a crucial win. The former Wycombe Wanderers star drew praise from Johnson as the Black Cats boss assesses the options available to him in the midst of mounting injury problems. He said: “He’s such a great lad, the busiest man in history, and I say that with all the love in the world. He loves that challenge of having a really important job and he did really well. “He’s a top player. We did feel his fitness and energy might catch them out, but in the end it was his bravery to get on one at the far post. “It’s difficult because we need to get a second opinion on that shoulder, because we’re not sure if it popped out again today. We may have to look into the open market again for defenders.”
