Sunderland lost 2-1 at Ipswich Town yesterday. And despite a fairly steady performance against the title-challengers, few seem optimistic.
Michael Beale has now take seven points from his opening five league games in charge, with Sunderland sitting in 7th place after defeat at Portman Road last night.
Sunderland had initially taken the lead and they were in the game for much of it. But an Ipswich comeback looked inevitable throughout, and after the game, there was a sense that many had already lost faith in their new boss.
Michael Graham summed up many fans’ feelings after the game, saying that there was a sense of disconnect between the club and the fans following the appointment of Beale.
And whilst that may be true, and whilst it may continue to grow, Beale needs new players in order to do a better job, with Phil Smith saying after last night that Beale not only needs a striker but a new holding midfielder as well.
Pierre Ekwah frustrates against Ipswich Town
On social media last night, Pierre Ekwah was the talk of many.
He failed to impress and highlighted Sunderland’s need for extra bodies in the middle of the park; Dan Neil didn’t do too well but no doubt keeps his place going forward, though Ekwah looks like someone who could certainly be upgraded in this month’s transfer window.
And a huge upgrade would be QPR midfielder Sam Field.
Why Sam Field is perfect for Sunderland
Field played in all 46 of QPR’s games last season, scooping two of the club’s Player of the Year awards, and he’s so far featured 25 times n the league this season.
The 25-year-old former West Brom man, described as ‘one of the best’ midfielders in the Championship by former R’s boss Gareth Ainsworth, is currently out of contract in the summer, and with QPR looking like they could be relegated, Field will surely become a free agent.
But with QPR in a bit of financial ruin, they could be open to selling Field for a reasonable price this month, and for Sunderland it would be a key signing.
Like Ainsworth, says, he’s one of the leading holding midfielders in the league; as per Sofascore, Field averages 47.3 touches per game and 26.7 passes.
On top of that, Field averages 1.6 interceptions per game in the Championship this season, 2 tackles, 5.6 recoveries and 2.1 clearances, beating Ekwah in all four stats.
And at 25 years old, he’s at a good age to move to a new club, potentially sign a long-term contract and setting off on an ambition for Premier League football.
He’s proven in the last season-and-a-half at QPR that he’s a combative midfielder who breaks up play effectively, but not only that; he’s got a good range of passing and a steady head, and he’s barely missed a game since the start of last season which makes him ideal for a Sunderland side often plagued by injury.
Sunderland need a holding midfielder, like Smith says, and they should look no further than Field.