Sunderland youngster Josh Maja currently tops the League One scoring charts with eight goals but must do more overall.
Sunderland youngster Josh Maja has been prolific in front of goal this season and the 19-year-old now tops the League One scoring charts with eight goals in 11 matches.
The latest mark on his tally came against Peterborough United in a 2-2 draw in midweek and the goal highlighted just how composed the academy graduate is in front of goal.
However, outside of his excellent return from leading the line for the Black Cats this term, Maja’s overall performances have seemingly slumped and that has to improve going forward.
There is little doubt that the Lewisham-born striker has been one of the most valuable players in Jack Ross’s squad, and his goal on Tuesday evening was a finish that was beyond his years.
However, the alarming thing for Black Cats fans is Maja’s struggle to hold the ball up for Sunderland’s wide men to get in support of their teammate.
That was most evident when Tuesday’s hosts went down to ten men after Oviedo was sent off for a poor foul, leaving Sunderland to defend deep while seeing very little of the ball.
A potential partnership with the injured Charlie Wyke when the summer arrival returns from his long-term layoff could benefit Maja, but for now the youngster will have to do his very best off the ball as well as in front of goal.
It is hard to question Maja’s displays after seeing him score eight goals and create another but, in this instance, work off the ball as well as working on his first touch,could only help Sunderland going forward.
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