Striker solution surely found and pair playing their way into next season’s plans

Sunderland defeated Cardiff City 2-0 on Good Friday in South Wales, marking a welcome return to winning ways.

The Black Cats were back to their fluid best after Adil Aouchiche’s early penalty, and Jobe Bellingham extended the lead later in the first half.

Here are Phil Smith’s main takeaways from the match…

The Striker Solution is highlighted.
In order to help Sunderland’s young strikers adapt to Championship football, Mike Dodds has been attempting to find a balance between giving them the playing time and exposure they need, but also acknowledging that selection pragmatism is necessary given the club’s poor results and the collapse of their play-off campaign.
There is a case to be made for Jobe Bellingham moving back up front sooner rather than later in the season, given his performances against Rotherham and West Brom. Still, Dodds took the call in South Wales, and it was possibly the single most important element in Sunderland’s victory, their first in seven games. Bellingham gambled on rushing into the six-yard box to convert Adil Aouchiche’s wonderful cross to the back post after winning the penalty that significantly altered the game’s flow. This season, Bellingham has sorely lacked movement in the box. Whether it was sprinting into the channel, leading the press, or holding the ball up, Bellingham was a vital part of Sunderland’s aggressive play the entire time.

To be fair, he was just as good when he came on late in the game to play at number ten, supporting Dodds’ assertion that he can basically move wherever he wants to. As Sunderland nears the end of the season, it’s possible that the acting head coach will look to give Hemir and Nazariy Rusyn some more chances with an eye toward the next campaign. But for the time being, it’s evident that the club needs to try to gather some momentum, and Jobe staying up front will benefit the team the most. Giving the 18-year-old a longer break over the international break proved to be a wise move as his performance during the campaign showcased both his potential and maturity, ranking among his best individual performances to date. Even if his recent rest certainly contributed to his output, there’s no need to be sorry that this wasn’t done sooner.

RIGG AND AOUCHICHE SHOW THEY CAN PARTICIPATE KEYFULLY NEXT SEASON
Sunderland’s recent months have been incredibly disappointing, and even today’s inspiring display in Cardiff won’t be enough to ease the pain of seeing the play-off drive abruptly evaporate. Adil Aouchiche is one of the few bright spots in recent weeks—as Dodds continues to give him more and more responsibility, he is beginning to deliver regularly.

The aggressive midfielder was always cutting edge in every play he made, including the brave penalty he took to send his team to a crucial victory. Most significantly, he had an unmatched work rate from the moment the game began until his late substitution. Maintaining this level of attention is the current issue, but a player who could play a key role in the team next season is starting to emerge. His recent performance supports the club’s belief that sometimes it’s best to give players time to adjust and settle before recognizing their true worth. However, it also reinforces the belief of many supporters that hiring more evenly is necessary to maintain consistency in results while that process takes place.

Chris Rigg is a player who could play a big role in the first team next season; that much is also certain. Given the way the young player held onto the ball under duress and continuously added to Sunderland’s attacking threat, Dodds thought this was the player’s best performance to yet. Naturally, Rigg has a big decision to make about his future this summer when he becomes 17 and becomes eligible to sign his first professional contract, but it’s becoming more and more obvious that the club believes in him, and he seems to enjoy living on Wearside.

OVERLINED IS THE IMPORTANCE OF O’NIEN
Luke O’Nien’s recent two-game suspension served as a reminder of how important he is to this team—not just because of his effort but also because of the level of possession he provides. Sunderland had terrible play in the last portion of their match against QPR, but their build-up play was also severely lacking. O’Nien attempts high-risk, high-reward passes to help open up the pitch and significantly quickens the pace of play.

We shouldn’t undervalue his influence.

PARTY FACTOR IS BACK
Though it may seem apparent, some of the relief on Wearside came from the fact that Sunderland not only prevailed but did it in style. The ongoing hunt for a new head coach must guarantee that the dynamic style that surfaced under Tony Mowbray is carried over into the upcoming season. Supporters will find it more entertaining to follow the team, and it fits a youthful group that is capable of competing against anyone in an open match.

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