da lvbet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
da poker： Sunderland have struggled in recent matches and while Aiden McGeady played well against Gillingham in the FA Cup, his performance should really be treated as a reason to be frustrated.
The Irishman stepped up last year and made his quality known for most of the year, helping to propel the Black Cats into the play-offs with 14 goals and six assists.
So far this term, however, the story has been a bit of a contrast to that. Prior to his cup goal against the Gills he had delivered just four goals in 16 appearances, which is simply not good enough for a man who is supposed to be one of the team’s – and division’s – best players.
After all, he was brought to the club back in the Championship season for a reported fee of £250,000, and given his pedigree in the game he is likely earning a healthy amount too.
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Sunderland need him to step up, then, particuarly as the team has only scored 22 goals in 15 league games, and since Phil Parkinson has taken over they have scored more than one goal in just one of his seven matches.
What’s more, the Irishman proved against Gillingham that he is more than capable of being a quality performer.
He opened the scoring with a fine strike that found the bottom corner, and almost added to his tally late on in the second half. If he can provide that threat from running with the ball from deep more often – and getting a shot in at goal – he should begin to deliver in the final third.
That could be vital in getting the strikers scoring more, as they may be able to feed off rebounds or crosses from the winger, but unless he finds some consistency the Black Cats will likely continue to look bereft of ideas going forward at times.
A lot is expected of McGeady, and for good reason, but if Parkinson can’t get him playing at his best then that is a big concern. There aren’t many whose quality matches the 33-year-old’s, and that means Sunderland would face an uphill battle to get promoted.