Simon Grayson is already under pressure as manager of Sunderland but could these three players help save his job?
Simon Grayson, manager of Sunderland, looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match against Everton.
After Sunderland’s 5-2 defeat to Ipswich Town in the Championship the Telegraph reported that Simon Grayson’s job as manager was already under threat.
A 2-2 draw at Grayson’s former team Preston North End in the last game before the international break at least ended a three-game losing streak in all competitions, but with just one win in 12 things are looking bleak at the Stadium of Light.
Yet the Black Cats boss can look to his squad and legitimately be expecting more from some of them and here are three players who could help save the 47-year-old from the sack.
Aiden McGeady warms up prior to the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Republic of Ireland and Wales.
Aiden McGeady
Brought to the club by Grayson having enjoyed a fantastic season on loan at Preston under him in 2016/17, McGeady showed then and in glimpses this term that he can be a real star in England’s second tier.
Arguably their greatest source of creativity, with three goals and three assists in eight league games already this campaign the 31-year-old may still drag the team out of trouble.
Sunderland player Paddy McNair in action during the Premier League match against Middlesbrough.
Paddy McNair
Grayson had good news when he told the official website that McNair was back in training and could well feature in tonight’s (October 10) Under-23s fixture with Hertha Berlin.
The Northern Ireland international has not played since a cruciate ligament injury last November but could be crucial in shoring up a currently shaky defence.
Didier Ndong
Became the club’s record signing in the summer of 2016 when the midfielder joined from Lorient for £13.6m (BBC) and while the season may have ended in relegation, Ndong could still prove to be a player of Premier League quality.
In fact the Independent reported that West Ham United were interested in the 23-year-old in August so there is every reason to think that the Gabon international can still step up to command Sunderland’s midfield in 2017/18.
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