Speaking on the latest episode of the Wise Men Say podcast, Rory Fallow has hailed Aiden O’Brien for his display against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Sunderland moved to just three points off League One leaders Hull City with their narrow 1-0 victory against Joey Barton’s side on Saturday afternoon.
O’Brien netted the only goal of the afternoon to claim three vital points for Lee Johnson’s side in their quest to return to the Championship following play-off disappointment in 2019 against Charlton Athletic.
Discussing the Irishman’s display in Sunderland’s away trip to Bristol, Fallow had this to say.
He said: “It’s just that little bit of quality shown, and I think Aiden O’Brien was probably the one who exemplified it the most, I thought he was our best player today – deserved his goal.
“As much as anything, we really notice now when he’s not in the side, but now when he comes back and the support he gives Charlie Wyke, Wyke looks so much better and much more comfortable, doesn’t he?
“It gives him a little bit more space – I know he didn’t get on the scoresheet today – but it’s just something else for opposition defenders to think about because of the space in between the lines he occupies, that first touch, his footwork as well; I thought he never stopped, did he? He was always disrupting them.”
Will SAFC be promoted this season?
Yes
No
The goal was only the 27-year-old’s fourth of the 2020/21 League One campaign across his 18 appearances for the Black Cats in the league.
Sunderland currently sit in third place, however, Johnson’s side lie just three points behind the Tigers with two games in hand on the league leaders (via BBC Sport).
TIF Thoughts on Sunderland’s promotion chances…
Since appointing Johnson following the departure of Phil Parkinson, Sunderland have proven to be a real threat at the top end of the league. Earlier this month, the Black Cats lifted the EFL Trophy after beating Tranmere Rovers 1-0 to end their Wembley curse.
The Wearside club sit in a great position to gain promotion this season and with those two games in hand, their destiny lies in their own hands, and it appears that O’Brien’s return will go some way to helping their bid to reach the second tier.