Sunderland striker Connor Wickham hoping that he can take chance in first team Sunderland striker Connor Wickham is hoping to keep his place in the first team after his second-half performance caught the eye in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich. Wickham replaced the injured Steven Fletcher at half-time and had a goal ruled out for offside in a frustrating game for the Black Cats, which leaves them just one point above the relegation zone. Despite having only made one league appearance this season prior to the defeat at Carrow Road, Wickham believes he is ready to do a job if called upon. "I just have to show when I do get on the pitch I am capable of playing in the Premier League. That is what every boy dreams of, so I have to grab my chance with both hands and show the boss I can be there," he told the Evening Chronicle. "It has been a test of patience for the last four or five months, just waiting to get on. Yesterday it came and I do not think I did myself any harm. I know I have not had as much time on the pitch as I would have liked, but I have worked as hard as I can on the training ground. "The manager has said what he wants me to do and I have tried to do it. He has asked me just to hold the ball up, be strong, commanding and more aggressive. "I have tried to do that in training as much as I can and hopefully he has noticed that. He has given me the chance and it is just down to me to take my chance every time I get it. "I thought I did quite well when I came on, so hopefully that will put me in good stead for next weekend. On another day, I could have had two or three."
He deserves to keep his place in the team...he should have a good run in the side,and will make an impact in helping us climb up the table.Better him than an old man like Saha!!
It will be a tragedy for us and for him if he is dropped for the weekend imo, irrespective if Fletcher is fit or not.
Connor deserves his chance from the start. If MON starts him from the bench against Chelsea then I suspect even the most ardent of MON supporters will feel a niggle in the back of their mind. I wanted Saha to start but from what I seen of Connor against Norwich.. I was impressed. The whole of the midfield had a new lease of life with Connor winning all of the headers. His control was very good aswell, composed and accurate. Must start against Chelsea.
If he is dropped I would rather MON went than him. I want MON to stay and succeed but if he cannot see that the young lad with his energy, commitment and not so little skill helped us play the best I have seen for almost a year then he's lost the plot.
