Sunderland picked up a big three points in a narrow victory over Cardiff City this weekend, but one potential problem coming out of the game is the injury to Patrick Roberts.
The winger set up the first goal of the game for Eliezer Mayenda after just two minutes, but had to be taken off with an injury midway through the first half.
Regis Le Bris put Chris Rigg out on the right wing for the rest of the game, and while the youngster put in a solid performance, Sunderland need a more tradition winger out there ideally.
The problem is, Le Bris has a relatively small squad, as he outlined in his press conference earlier this week. So, what does he do if Patrick Roberts is indeed injured?
Former Sunderland man suggests Eliezer Mayenda should play on the right wing
While Mayenda was the best player on the pitch for Sunderland against Cardiff, former Sunderland man Danny Collins has suggested the Spaniard could be the one to make the move out to the right for the next few games if Roberts is unavailable.
Speaking after covering the game, Collins touched on the Roberts situation and said: “Maybe he can play Mayenda out there on Tuesday with Roberts potentially being out now… he’s a threat, but you’re narrowing it and limiting him by playing him on the right. But it is an option.”
Mayenda has played a number of games for Sunderland on the right wing earlier in the season, but has really exploded since being moved into a striker role of late.
There is no doubt Mayenda was the difference against Cardiff, and he can operate on the wing, but would that be the right call to make given his current form in the forward role?
Sunderland fans have begged Regis Le Bris to only play Mayenda up front
Just because Eliezer Mayenda can play on the right wing, it doesn’t mean he should. He is far more effective through the middle, and after his display against Cardiff, he deserves to start up front again in midweek against Preston.
Sunderland fans only want Mayenda to be a striker, that much is clear. They raved about the youngster after his performance against Derby County earlier this year, and they saw enough evidence to suggest they are right after his goals against Sheffield Wednesday.
| Statistics | Eliezer Mayenda as a striker | Eliezer Mayenda as a winger |
| Games | 12 | 17 |
| Goals | 6 | 2 |
| Assists | 2 | 3 |
The ideal scenario, of course, is for Mayenda and Wilson Isidor to play up front together. The Sunderland squad is too thin to facilitate that right now, and sadly, compromises may need to be made in places.
Hopefully, Roberts is fine and can play again this week. If not, we may have some very unhappy Sunderland fans if Mayenda is shifted out wide.