Gus Poyet on why Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey poses a rare modern problem | OneFootball

Former Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has hailed Brian Brobbey’s old school centre forward play after the Dutchman struck in the 90th minute to clinch a 2-1 derby win at St James’ Park. Brobbey tormented Newcastle’s defence throughout.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Alan Shearer said Brobbey was probably Sunderland’s standout, noted the £17million fee from Ajax, and contrasted it with Newcastle’s striker spend, calling their inconsistency a major issue. He added that Sunderland wanted it more after the break and that Eddie Howe got it wrong and could not lift his players.

Poyet said he knew Brobbey from his time with Greece and, if he remembered correctly, from a Netherlands substitute appearance, adding he immediately saw the forward’s strength and how teams could use him.

He argued that football has lost that type of striker, the kind who pins defenders and denies them a way round, giving sides a different outlet. He also praised Brobbey’s work for the team and said the derby winner felt especially important, as his celebration showed.

The goal was his sixth of the campaign since a deadline day move from boyhood club Ajax last summer. Ronald Koeman has recalled him to the Netherlands squad for the first time since March last year.

Source: Sunderland Echo