Football Insider
·1 October 2020
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsFootball Insider
·1 October 2020
Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson should know who his first choice striker is by now, according to Kevin Phillips.
The Stadium of Light legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, has “spoken to people that do not want to see Charlie Wyke play again” after last weekend’s performance.
Wyke, 27, was the third striker in three league games to spearhead the Black Cats attack but like Will Grigg and Danny Graham before him he failed to score.
Phil Parkinson’s side travel to Charlton on Saturday and will arrive to The Valley in high spirits following back-to-back wins and clean sheets in League One.
Phillips claimed that while it is “a tough one” he would like to see a more consistent team selection over the coming weeks.
“It worries me because Phil Parkinson worked with Will Grigg and Charlie Wyke all of last season,” he told Football Insider.
“I know Danny Graham wasn’t there but I just don’t think Parkinson knows what his best combination is.
“I have spoken to people who say they do not want to see Wyke play again but when I have watched him live I thought he did OK.
“It is a tough one for Phil, trying to get that right combination in balance going forward. They need a settled team that is picked week in, week out.”
While £3million summer-of-2019 signing Grigg is yet to score this season, Wyke and Graham opened their account in the EFL Trophy victory over Aston Villa Under-21s.
The Black Cats will be looking for revenge this weekend, the last time they faced Charlton was in the 2-1 play-off final defeat at Wembley in 2019.
In other Sunderland news, it can be REVEALED that Charlton Athletic are set to beat Black Cats to signing after new Burnley deal rejected.