When Jack Rodwell signed for the Black Cats, there was a great deal of excitement. Even though Rodwell failed to ever gain a stable place in the Manchester City side, his days at Everton were good enough to know of his quality.
However, despite a few very good displays, Rodwell has been bang average in a Sunderland shirt. More often than not, it’s very easy to forget Rodwell is playing, until he picks up a yellow card. With Rodwell’s tackling ability, strength and pace, he may be a surprise inclusion at centre-back. With Sunderland conceding 17 goals in just the first half during their 8 games this season, if there is an option to try, it needs to be done.
With Coates’ poor form and Kaboul’s one good game, followed by a poor game, Advocaat has admitted he’s considered the possibility of pushing Rodwell into the defence.
It was something i thought about last season when he was not in the team. In principle, he is a centre-half in origin. He’s good in the air, he has got two good feet.Football-wise and passing-wise, he is what I am looking for in terms of giving the ball to his team-mates. We have too many players who just kick the ball away. That was why I was so keen to get Lombaerts who can start things off at the back.
O’Shea and Kaboul seem to be Advocaat’s first choice pairing, with summer signing Coates’ shock dip in form. Other than promoting youth players, Wes Brown is Advocaat’s only other option, but Advocaat has already stated that Brown is just a backup. The Black Cats have very few options, so Rodwell’s inclusion at centre-back may well be a great idea.
