da bet sport： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da betcris： Former Sunderland forward Stephen Elliott believes the Black Cats will win League One if Aiden McGeady can stay fit.
What’s the word?
Jack Ross’ side ground out a tough three points at Rochdale on Tuesday evening, showing they may have finally discovered the ability to win ugly.
The performance was lacklustre and sloppy to say the least, but they came away from the Crown Oil Arena with all three points courtesy of goals from McGeady and Charlie Wyke.
Elliott, who played on Wearside between 2004 and 2007, reckons keeping the Irishman fit is key to the side’s ambitions this season.
He said: “If he stays fit Sunderland could very well win league. A different animal when he plays compared to when he is missing. He is on another planet compared to (the) rest.”
Spot on
It’s not clear if by “the rest” Elliott means the rest of the squad or the rest of the league as a whole, but either way his comments are hard to disagree with.
With the 33 year-old on the pitch, Ross’ side have an outlet on the wing capable of burning past his man and whipping crosses in, coming back inside and linking up play, or even just having a go himself, as he did against Rochdale.
He is electric in one-on-one situations and his speed and trickery is truly a level above the technical ability of most players in the division, now that the mercurial Lee Trundle isn’t around anymore of course.
The 93-cap Republic of Ireland international has already scored twice and set two goals up this season, per Transfermarkt, and Elliott may well have it spot on that he is the most integral figure to club’s hopes of lifting that league trophy this season.
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