On-loan Leeds United star Laurens De Bock is due to start for Sunderland this evening as they face Premier League side Sheffield United in the EFL Cup.
The Black Cats knocked out Accrington Stanley and Burnley to get to this point in the competition and assistant manager James Fowler has admitted to the Northern Echo that De Bock will most likely start the fixture against the recently-promoted Blades.
“De Bock’s played at a decent level as well in European football, so it’s one we’re looking forward to. He’s more experienced than Denver Hume, and I’m sure he’ll be good competition.”
He’s not the only new face likely to start the encounter for under-fire Sunderland boss Jack Ross. Joel Lynch, the former QPR defender who signed for the Mackems before the transfer deadline, is also likely to get the nod.
“Lynch is a good experienced player,” said Fowler. “He’s played a lot of his career in the Championship. He’s a talker and an organiser as well, and he’s a good size.”
“They’ve got good experience between them, they’ve played at a decent level, and we’re always looking to improve the squad and the team.”
Their first job will be to try to deliver a clean sheet, something that Wearsiders have only managed once so far this season.
“I think we felt we lacked experience at times last season and we’re still looking for clean sheets, so you’re always looking for different strengths of players who will add to the group we’ve already got.”
Neither De Bock nor Lynch have featured yet since their moves, but they’ll be entering a side with a huge expectation on their shoulders. Sunderland have drawn their last two fixtures, one against a youthful and out-of-form Bolton side, leading to calls for Jack Ross to step aside in fear of another disappointing season.
Our View
This is a no-win fixture for both club and manager. They have to get a result, but it’s highly unlikely. Defeat will see the pressure increase even more and, let’s be honest, with two players coming in with no appearances to their name they’re already asking for trouble.
Sunderland look to be a rudderless ship at the minute, an expensive vessel packed with quality but being steered through League One erratically and inconsistently.
If they win, despite being a League One side beating a top-flight side, the pressure will only shift to the next fixture, not subside altogether.
De Bock is unproven in England as yet and if they’re hoping he’s the answer to their problems, they’re very much mistaken.
