Ben McKevitt says…
With AFCON looming large over the winter period of our Premier League campaign and taking two thirds of our left defence with it in the form of Arthur Masuaku and Reinildo Mandava, it seems inevitable that we’ll have to call upon Cirkin.
On his day, he’s an exceptional footballer but it feels like a long time since we’ve seen the true depth of his ability. His injuries seem to have hampered him considerably in our promotion campaign, and his form dipped to a risky level towards the end in my eyes
(see his playoff final lapse of concentration).
I do think he has a part to play, though, and I’m excited to see how he can contribute now that these injury issues are (hopefully) over. If he can return to the form he showed in spells at the start of last season and sporadically before it, I believe he can give Reinildo some great competition, leapfrogging Masuaku for that deputy spot at left back.
There’s a certain degree of fondness for all of the lads who were involved in our most recent Championship stint, and so I’d be sad to see him go if his contract situation isn’t resolved, but I could understand if he felt like he needed to get improved game time elsewhere.
If nothing else, he has the ability to be an excellent backup and with a huge chance to impress in December, potentially push on further. I personally don’t see him taking Reinildo’s spot in the team — but it can’t hurt to see him try.
John Wilson says…
At the end of last season, Cirkin was on the shortlist of players who could certainly be considered as a potential Premier League player. As it’s turned out, he hasn’t been missed, due to other signings.
There are still question marks over his reliability and mental state but a fit Cirkin, especially with the approaching AFCON, will be a welcome addition to the squad and team.
It’s a long demanding season, and strong competition for all positions is a must.
As we’ve seen recently with Reinildo suspended, Arthur Masuaku still getting up to speed and Aji Alese still out, although there are other permutations, there’s certainly a gap for a fit and up-to-speed Cirkin to capitalise on.
He went off the boil somewhat at the end of last season, but he already had his ubiquitous cast on by then. Maybe that has always hindered him, but seeing Cirkin overlapping down the left or marauding up field surrounded by a better quality of player who can cover will be another option for Régis Le Bris. It’ll be very interesting to see how he copes, but I don’t think he’ll be too far short of the mark.
For sure, a worthwhile squad member.
Malc Dugdale says…
The imminent availability of Cirkin adds yet another string to our well-performing defensive bow, and we should use him in that manner when the time is right.
Last season, he showed he has a lot of qualities which may be suited to the Premier League, but he was a little shaky during the playoffs. Maybe that was the pressure of the playoffs or maybe it was just one or two bad days at the office potentially influenced by his clear issues with a busted arm. We’ll never know.
Bringing the ex-Spurs lad into our defence gives us more depth as and when we need it, and good left backs are like hens’ teeth, as we know.
He also offers a lot in terms of Régis Le Bris using the wing back option, and of course he does score goals at times, often popping from set pieces last season. His offensive antics were a regular threat for a period, and I’d welcome that from any defender.
What he needs to do is wait for his chance and be ready to take it when it arises. If he’d been available when Reinildo saw red, he could’ve stepped right in and we may well have even more points right now, but as it stands, he’s another option for a pretty highly-performing team, so patience will be needed.
He helped us come up so deserves his chance, but we have many strong defensive players, so he may well have to wait until an opportunity presents itself in the weeks to come.
Time will tell but I’m happy to have him back. Who knows whether he’ll get a chance and whether he’ll fly or flop at this level, but having him back is a real blessing — especially if we can keep him fit.
Matthew Crichton says…
I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Cirkin in a Sunderland shirt, but it’s inevitable that he’ll leave the club.
During the Régis Le Bris era, we’ve seen that he has no loyalty to players in terms of being scared to replace them or cut them from the squad. If he feels we need to improve and get depth, he won’t wait or put first those who have been first choice before and that’s exactly how it should be — the club has to come first.
Cirkin was brilliant for us last season and I was excited to see if he could step up to the Premier League, but with his persistent injuries, it simply forced Sunderland to recruit in his position and at this level we all know you simply have to have depth.
Reinildo — despite a daft red card and penalty — has been a class above and looks like a brilliant addition. Plus, whilst Arthur Masuaku has started slowly and has been a little off the pace, I’m willing to give him time given his lack of pre-season, and as a back up left back, he certainly ticks a box for experience and was a free hit coming in on a Bosman.
Where I think Cirkin’s fortunes could change is December during AFCON as we’ll lose both left backs for an unconfirmed amount of time, depending on how far their nations get. That would leave Cirkin as the only recognised left back at the club and I’d like to hope he would get a chance to play rather than shoehorning someone out of position.
This would allow us to see how he performs at this level but also increase his value ahead of the transfer window, as with six months left on his contract, I think it’s highly unlikely he’ll be staying.
Sunderland will want to cash in and even if he refused to move, he may want to reap the benefits of a higher signing-on fee as a free agent.
I’d like to hope he can perform well in December and contribute this season, but I think the signing of Reinildo as first choice all but sealed Cirkin’s exit, as he’ll want first team football and we can’t provide that.
