Another Fletcher stinker, Joel Asoro must start Sunderland’s next game

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Joel Asoro has not started Sunderland’s last two games while Ashley Fletcher continues to struggle.

When Ashley Fletcher arrived on loan at Sunderland during the January transfer window, it appeared that the Black Cats may have potentially landed the kind of goalscorer that may give them a chance of securing survival.

Fletcher boasted a decent record with Barnsley, came through the Manchester United youth ranks, earned a move to West Ham, and cost Middlesbrough £6.5 million in the summer, according to BBC Sport.

However, since arriving at the Stadium of Light, Fletcher has failed to repay Chris Coleman’s faith having not scored in any of his six appearances for the club, and his performances have garnered plenty of criticism from the long-suffering fans.

On Tuesday night, the 22-year-old put in another lacklustre display as Sunderland were beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light. And the youngster’s latest performance should convince Coleman that now is the time to drop the January signing.

Fletcher has the potential to come good in the future, but given the Black Cats’ position in the Championship and the fact that he is only on loan, Sunderland cannot afford to think about the striker’s potential and must concentrate on their trip to Queens Park Rangers this weekend.

Joel Asoro has not started either of the club’s last two games but has been brought on. And this weekend, Coleman should bring the 18-year-old into the starting lineup for the trip to Loftus Road.

Only two of Sunderland’s goals in 2018 have been scored by a striker, and both have come from Asoro, so handing the Swede a start is surely a must if he is fit enough to lead the line from the off.

Sunderland may be bottom, but the gap to safety is not that great. However, the signs suggest that Fletcher is not going to be the striker that inspires the team on that great run of form they are going to need. Asoro may not be the man either given his age, but it is surely time to roll the dice.