This Sunderland youngster has given Lee Johnson a big decision to make as he pushes for a start
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Without a typical ‘number nine’ against Port Vale, the Black Cats and their quartet of attacking midfielders set about to stretch the visiting backline.
And it worked. Pockets of space were created and chances forged, with the only real disappointment that the final tally wasn’t more than two.
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Hide AdKey to a lot of the good work Sunderland did in the game was Elliot Embleton, who was making only a fourth start of the season.
But given his showing against Vale, it wold be no surprise were that tally to extend to five when the Wearsiders head to Wimbledon on Saturday.
Embleton’s stats against from the Papa John’s Trophy tie are broadly encouraging. He mustered three shots, one of which was on target, completed 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles, pressed and won the ball back three times and only misplaced eight passes throughout the ninety minutes.
On another day, he could have won the Black Cats a penalty too – with an early foul on the 21-year-old yielding just a free-kick despite his promising run seemingly being halted inside the penalty area.
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Hide AdBut it’s the less tangible qualities Embleton brings to this side that means he will now be squarely in Lee Johnson’s thoughts.
Perhaps the most useful of these attributes is his forward-thinking mentality. Upon receiving the ball, the focus is on driving the side forward rather than simply securing possession.
Johnson spoke earlier this week of wanting to see his players play the ball forward or vertically – with Sunderland having gained a reputation, in some quarters at least, for playing too many backward passes.
With Embleton, though, the focus is always on driving the side forward. It’s something that is lacking in the squad and a mentality that is key to the front-foot football Johnson is keen to instil.
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Hide AdAnd for that reason, the academy graduate will undoubtedly be in his thoughts for the weekend.
With Max Power set for an extended stay at right-back, there’s a vacancy in the midfield – and Johnson now has a big decision to make on whether that slot goes to Embleton.