While Sunderland did lose top scorer Josh Maja to Bordeaux over the winter transfer window, the Black Cats signed Will Grigg from Wigan Athletic and brought in Tottenham star Kazaiah Sterling on loan.
While the 20-year-old on-loan Tottenham striker is expected to come good for manager Jack Ross, all eyes will be on former Wigan Athletic star Will Grigg. 120 goals in 345 appearances is a decent total for any forward and for Sunderland, it’s someone they need to get the best out of.
Because if Will Grigg showed us one thing during his spell at Wigan Athletic, it’s that he can score goals and score them consistently. The 27-year-old striker found the net a remarkable 65 times in 150 appearances, which comes to around 2.3 games per goal. This includes his 25 goals in 2016/17 season, where Grigg finished as the League One’s top scorer.
While things haven’t been the same since then, with Will Grigg struggling to find the net this season in the Championship, he could easily end up being a great move for Sunderland.
The 27-year-old is a different style of player as compared to Josh Maja, but at the same time, he is a definite upgrade on the former Sunderland starlet. While manager Jack Ross will have to adjust his tactics a little to fit the poacher into his team, it’s something that is worth doing.
If nothing else, Ross needs to build his attack around Griggs and if the striker does find his touch, then he could singlehandedly lead them into the Championship. The Black Cats chased after their man desperately, making eight bids before finally getting Wigan Athletic to accept their final offer, but if he fails to make an impact, the blame will fall partly on the club.
However, Grigg has shown in the past that he’s more than willing to work as hard as he needs to make sure that he has a place in the starting XI. While he will immediately slot into Jack Ross’ line-up, with the likes of Charlie Wyks and makeshift striker Duncan Watmore injured at the moment.
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However, with the pace of Kazaiah Sterling next to him, Ross should look to create a formation that can help Griggs rediscover his mojo. Otherwise, it will be like flushing £4million down the drain and watch a rather good striker waste away his talent in a formation that doesn’t play to his strengths.
(PS: This article was written before Sunderland’s 1-1 draw vs Oxford United)