Sunderland’s victory over Norwich City last weekend put them in third place in the Championship, just three points behind the leaders. a victory that snapped a three-match losing streak.
Although every manager hopes for more from his team, Tony Mowbray has begun to wonder if any of his players would be able to survive in the championship. Unexpected public action, but perhaps one that gives certain players new life.
The seasoned boss was specifically questioned over Mason Burstow, a 20-year-old striker who has spent the majority of his career at Charlton Athletic but has yet to score in eight games this season since beginning his season-long loan from Chelsea.
When it was put to him that the goal drought could be dragging the player down, he told the Chronicle Live. “He’s not suggesting that by his personality around the building and on the training ground. But I’m sure he is [feeling the pressure]. I’m sure every striker who goes a few games without a goal feels that way.
“Is he feeling it? He should be feeling it. He’s only a young kid, of course, but we’ll know the right time to take him out of the firing line and give somebody else an opportunity.”
With the Black Cats’ decent start to the season, Mowbray will want all his players to perform to high standards. Burstow was left out of the game against Norwich at the weekend, with Ukrainian Nazariy Rusyn taking his place in the winning effort.
It would be easy to point the finger at the Chelsea man, such was the fervor around his signing. It is a fact, though, that Rusyn and Luis Semendo have also yet to get on the scoresheet. The three players are all competing for the regular first-team spot.
Because of this, Mowbray is now questioning if the forwards are ready for this level of football. “The other strikers are at different levels of readiness. Stick the next one in, see how he does, and how many games are we giving him? Stick the next one in, and let’s see how he goes.
“We have to assess, moving forward, whether we think we have players who are good enough to score goals in the championship for our team. They are going to be given opportunities, and when the opportunity comes, let’s see if they score.”
Writer’s Opinion
The pressure may be immense when a group of players are competing to impress their boss and win over their supporters. That’s made even more intense by the fact that Mason Burstow is a Premier League player, so he will be fired up to perform. Mowbray will have to pick his comments carefully since this public interrogation of him has the potential to make or ruin the player.
He collaborates with the player every single day. so he can understand what motivates him. This might be the necessary wake-up call for him. Rusyn was a member of a winning squad and did enough to maintain his spot, so for the time being, he might have to wait his turn.
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