Sunderland picked up a valuable point on the road on Tuesday night, drawing away at Norwich City.
Though not a classic nor memorable game, it’s another point that edges Sunderland closer towards sealing a place in this season’s Championship play-offs.
Regis Le Bris’ side remain in 4th place of the Championship table and can officially secure their place in the play-offs with a win against Swansea City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
There was little to talk of in Sunderland’s 0-0 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road. But for one summer signing not impressing at all.
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Sunderland fans unimpressed with Milan Aleksic vs Norwich City
One surprise in the starting XI on Tuesday night was Milan Aleksic. Sunderland paid £3.5million to sign Aleksic from Serbian outfit Radnicki last summer, but the Norwich game was just his sixth Championship appearances of the season and only his third start.
And Black Cats fans weren’t at all impressed with the 19-year-old on Tuesday. “Aleksic offers nothing on that right hand side,” said one Sunderland fan. “Aleksic very mediocre,” added another.
Similar comments read: “Aleksic has been really disappointing to watch,” and: “Aleksic hugely disappointing thus far.” One Sunderland supporter even posted: “Aleksic looks like he has won a competition to play in this game and isn’t an actual footballer.”
But there was also criticism aimed at Le Bris for playing Aleksic, an attacking midfielder, on the right of attack. This Sunderland fan said: “Any blame for Aleksic’s performance so far goes to the manager for me. Never given a chance the entire season them throws him in out of position.”
Milan Aleksic’s stats for Sunderland against Norwich City
After 77 minutes, Le Bris had seen enough. He hauled Aleksic off and brought on Patrick Roberts, and that might be all we see of Aleksic for another stretch of games with the Serbian failing to impress.
The stats paint a pretty damning picture for Aleksic who failed to make anything happen in what is a key position in this Le Bris set up, perhaps showcasing that he’s still a long way away from being really ready to compete in the Championship.
| Statistic | Milan Aleksic vs Norwich City |
| Touches | 27 |
| Accurate passes | 10 |
| Pass completion | 56% |
| Dribbles | 0 out of 4 attempted |
| Duels | 2 out of 8 attempted |
But like one Sunderland fan said above, Le Bris’ decision to play Aleksic out of position seemed questionable to say the least. After so long out, to then come into a tricky game in an unfamiliar position, what did Le Bris expect?
It’s valuable experience for Aleksic nonetheless, with Sunderland having little to lose as they look nailed on for top six.