Sunderland’s form has been quite patchy over the last several weeks, even months. But a win against promotion rivals Sheffield United in their first game of 2025 has set the bar high for the year.
Sunderland remain in 4th place of the Championship table after their impressive New Year’s Day win over Sheffield United, with goals coming from Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor in the 2-1 victory.
Regis Le Bris’ side arguably put in their best display of the season to get that win. But there’s still a few cracks in the side, and this January transfer window could prove vital in filling those gaps and setting the Black Cats up for the rest of the campaign.
One player who’s not been at it in recent weeks is Dennis Cirkin. The former Spurs full-back underwent surgery on a broken wrist a few weeks ago, having a couple games out of the side then a couple games on the bench before returning to the XI.
Nick Barnes and Marco Gabbiadini discuss Dennis Cirkin’s Sunderland form
Cirkin started four games in a row following his four games out of the XI. The 22-year-old last started in Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat against Stoke City and Cirkin was poor, being brought off soon after the hour mark.
Then for the Sheffield United game, Le Bris opted for Aji Alese at left-back. Speaking on Total Sport, pundit Nick Barnes spoke about Cirkin’s recent form, highlighting that his form tailed off after that injury lay off.
Barnes said: “With the wrist injury, it seems to have been the moment where he’s slightly gone off par… He’s not been at his best the last couple of games, and certainly I think the poorest game was Stoke.
But Marco Gabbiadini thinks Cirkin is now lacking match fitness after that spell out the side. He explained: “Cirkin’s also still recovering from a spell out of the team, isn’t he. I know he’s played consecutive games but is he at peak fitness yet?
“Where he would’ve been if he hadn’t have had at that injury to his wrist. Probably not.”
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Dennis Cirkin determined to play on, despite injury
Cirkin actually kept on playing for a few games with a broken wrist, before he underwent surgery to repair the issue.
Speaking around that time, Cirkin revealed that he’s never at 100% before a game. He said: “There are always little things going on but as a footballer, you’re never going to be 100% going into a game.
“That’s why we’re finding the best solution, to just keep me on the pitch and try to get as best as I can to 100 per cent.”
Cirkin may now have a fight to get back into the XI with Alese impressing against Sheffield United. But the upcoming game against a struggling Portsmouth side could be the ideal time for Cirkin to return to the XI and return to form.
Le Bris knows that Cirkin is his best option at left-back and so he needs to give him the game time needed to get back up to full speed.