SUNDERLAND have performed admirably without the injured Pierre Ekwah recently, but it is a mark of the young Frenchman’s class that he will almost certainly walk straight back into Tony Mowbray’s starting XI when he’s fit again.
Signed from West Ham’s under-23 side on a conditional free transfer in January, the 21-year-old was lightly raced last season.
Though he featured 18 times as the Black Cats reached the play-off semi-finals, just seven of those were starts, with Mowbray concerned that Ekwah did not yet have enough muscle on his imposing 6ft 2ins frame.
“The boy hadn’t played a minute of professional football before we signed him,” explained the former Celtic, Middlesbrough and Blackburn boss. “Physically, he’s not quite there. But I keep telling him that if he can develop that aspect of his game then what a footballer we’ve got because he can do amazing things with his feet.”
Fast forward nine months and those worries are ancient history. Physically and technically, Ekwah has already developed into one of the most complete midfielders in the Championship, and is a key cog in Sunderland’s promotion-chasing machine.
Deeper
この記事は The Football League Paper の October 08, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Football League Paper の October 08, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.