The imminent return to action of Dennis Cirkin and Romaine Mundle marks a welcome return for two players who have served us well on our journey to the Premier League.
And it’s got me thinking of the bigger
picture. We’ve already seen a few of our Championship winners given an opportunity to stake their claim at the top level, and they haven’t disappointed.
Dan Ballard has proved influential at both ends of the pitch. Not only did he score on the opening day against West Ham, he is a constant menace in the opposition penalty area from set-pieces and Nordi Mukiele’s long throws. He has also inspired some of our most dogged defensive performances.
Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda both got off the mark quickly, with the former netting three times in the opening games. While Trai Hume struggled at Old Trafford, he’s generally acquitted himself well in the top flight, while Chris Rigg has shown glimpses of what we have long known he is capable of.
It’s got me genuinely excited to see a few more of last season’s players get their chance. I’m not calling for them all to be selected en masse; there is a very deliberate reason as to why the squad was substantially strengthened, such is the level required in the Premier League.
We have an exciting new team now, but on the odd occasion, we might need to draft a few of the old guard back in to cover for injuries, suspensions, and potentially, loss of form. I’d back them to wear the shirt with pride, and I don’t think they’d let us down.
I think Mundle could be a breath of fresh air. He’s fast and tricky but is tough and has a steely competitiveness running through his veins. Mundle was never fazed when asked to fill Jack Clarke’s shoes in the early part of last season, and I think he’d take to the top flight in similar, supremely confident fashion.
Of course, fitness is a huge issue. We can’t expect too much too soon, and perhaps Romaine could serve initially as an effective bench player.
Like fellow full-back Hume, I think Cirkin could do a steady job at left-back, but given a run of games (which admittedly seems unlikely with Reinildo due to return from suspension soon), it would be interesting to see if Dennis’ attacking qualities, which were so prevalent in the Championship, would bear fruit against top-flight defences.
It’s easy to assume that certain players might be “found out” in the Premier League, but I would never bet against a lad who came through the ranks at Tottenham and was this summer linked with a move back to North London. Mundle also has Spurs’ academy connections.
I’d like to see Dan Neil get his chance if an opportunity comes along. After all, he plays Granit Xhaka’s position, and who better to learn from than the man himself? I don’t know what is happening with Neil’s contract situation, nor his or the club’s intentions regarding the midfielder’s future at the club. But he has featured as part of the squad all season so far, and at not quite 24, must be itching to play football.
Again, it’s easy to assume that if required, Lutsharel Geertruida or perhaps Noah Sadiki would fill in for Xhaka, if our Swiss captain was sidelined. But I have faith that Neil is disciplined and experienced enough a footballer to play that holding role, or another slightly further forward in midfield.
Let’s also not forget Anthony Patterson, whose fine early save in the play-off final was crucial in our promotion that day. He’s our number two, and while Robin Roefs has taken our goalkeeping department to another level, Patterson is a tremendous shot-stopper who could potentially excel if given a chance. He doesn’t have the command of his area like Roefs does, but at 25, is still young enough to iron out any weaknesses.
It’s a lifelong ambition of mine (and has been for a few years now) to see Luke O’Nien play at least one Premier League game for Sunderland. He’s an intelligent man with a heart of gold, a versatile footballer who should never be written off.
Luke wouldn’t be on the bench if Régis Le Bris and his staff didn’t think he was capable. The former Wycombe man would be busting a gut to grab any chance he gets.
