Looks like Grant for Dobson on Saturday

"Max can play that holding role, Grant has played it all his career, Josh has played it although he is more competing with Chris Maguire on the right-hand side of a three in that system."

What planet is this bloke on? How the **** is Scowen seen as competition for Maguire and not a direct replacement for Dobson?! Jesus wept.

 

He worries me like, we can’t afford to be adrift at all in this league, it’s full of pace and leadbitter hasn’t got the legs anymore unfortunately, good brain and vision but no legs
Supposedly got 6 first teamers out anarl

 

hmm, don't want to write grant off without giving him a chance, looked sharper and showed he can still pick a pass...but i really do not think we have a 'direct' replacement for maguire, he is one of those 'one off' type of players that manages to combine left, right and center in a game with ease.

 

We have?

 

No Oxford mate

 

Jesus wept - Parkinson is so safe and boring. Makes Mick Buxton look exciting!
Give the young uns a chance like you said you would, you tedious tosspot!!

 

It's the fact that he sees Scowen playing in Maguire's position when he's played all his career centre mid. Don't know what planet Parkinson is on tbh.

 

Grant or Scowen will replace Dobson surely,

 

I'd hoped it would be Scowen.

 

How the **** would Scowen replace Maguire? The guy is a ****ing idiot and is preparing us for another ****ing stupid team selection.

 

Scowen won't win many headers.

I think that's one of the reasons that Parkinson will bring Grant in to replace Dobson.

 

Phil Parkinson has provided a team news update ahead of Sunderland’s first away trip of the season at Oxford United on Saturday.

George Dobson will miss the game after picking up a straight red card in the 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Speaking to the media via zoom ahead of the journey south, the manager provided an update on Grant Leadbitter and Josh Scowen, as well as revealing the stage Elliot Embleton is at with his rehabilitation from a thigh problem.

“There’s nothing major to have to worry about,” Parkinson said.

“Grant Leadbitter picked up a dead leg earlier in the week, but he should be okay.

“Josh Scowen has not been with us today, he’s had a family bereavement and is at a funeral, but everybody else has been fine, which is good.”

Elliot Embleton missed Sunderland’s season opener against Bristol Rovers and Parkinson revealed the midfielder will have to prove his fitness before being back in contention.

He continued: “Elliot is making progress and hopefully he’ll be in training next week, but he’s going to need a few under-23s games before he’s up for selection because he hasn’t played for a long time.

“He’s getting closer, but we just want to make sure that he’s right.”

 

Don’t think Ive ever seen grant win a header mate.

 

I was surprised Scowen did not start against Bristol tbh and he would fit the current system perfectly. Always seen Power as a defensive asset, but for me both those central midfield positions require players who can operate in tandem and one cover, when the other goes forward, Grant could be used this season but not as a partner to Power imo.

 

Parky is chasing down Wilkinson as they most moronic manager in my lifetime.

At least he has a chance of winning something so every cloud and that.

 

Scowen has earned his starting place in my opinion based on pre season performances. He definitely looks every bit a centre midfielder. There is always a danger a player loses his desire if he feels he doesnt get a fair crack no matter how he plays.

 

Can see a lot of pissed off people if Scowen doesn’t start like.

Parkinson won’t give a ****.

 

Really? I thought he competed alright and wins a few. Not a big lad, of course.

Scowen looks like a very good player. I just think he'll get pushed around in centre mid.

 

Just got in from graft ( very loosely termed) and seen this. Please tell me this is a f*cking joke. If not methinks PP has been told he is on the way out soon and doesnt give a flying one.
What a stubborn bell end and ultra defensive minded f*cking numpty.

 

Not writing Grant off. My head will drop if we start Power and Grant in centre mid though.