Sunderland manager Jack Ross has partnered Glenn Loovens alongside Jack Baldwin for most of this season.
Sunderland signed Jack Baldwin from Peterborough United in the summer and the 26-year-old has been easily the Black Cats’ best player so far this season.
Glenn Loovens has been the man partnering Baldwin in central defence for the most part of the early campaign and the veteran had looked good in patches.
But after recently returning from injury, Tom Flanagan should be the man to partner the in form Jack Baldwin in defence, starting with Sunderland’s game against Rochdale this weekend.
Loovens signed from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer and as of late, the 34-year-old’s legs have started to tire after a run of games in Jack Ross’s starting XI.
Sunderland require a central defender with pace to partner Baldwin, and Flanagan could be that man.
The 26-year-old was calm on the ball, as well as cutting out important passes high up the pitch in his return to the first-team against Fleetwood Town.
And Flanagan’s performances in pre-season also suggest the defender could be a real asset to Ross’ side, especially with his extra pace which Sunderland have lacked for a number of years.
The Black Cats’ game against Rochdale is an important one and whoever partners the ever-present Baldwin will be hoping to cement themselves in that position with a positive performance.
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