da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da apostebet： Phil Parkinson has made the bold decision to transfer list Aiden McGeady and former player Stephen Elliott feels he has been a little drastic in his handling of the situation.
What did he say?
The shock news that McGeady’s Sunderland career will be cut short likely took many by surprise, as although he has been far from his best recently, he still possesses greater quality than perhaps any of his teammates.
Despite the lack of form he is still the top scorer at the Black Cats and was named Player of the Year for his impressive displays last season, which is probably why Elliott believes Parkinson’s actions are a mistake.
However, the full details are unclear apart from reports that the Irishman is a negative influence on the squad, and though problematic, it seems like an issue that could be ironed out by some frank discussion taking place between player and manager.
In a tweet sharing his thoughts, Elliott said:
It seems Parkinson can do little right at the moment, but one thing is for certain. If this move backfires, he has created a hole for himself and the mounting pressure could cause dressing room unrest.
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Risky decision
While it is positive that Parkinson is showing zero tolerance with a squad which has so far performed well below a level they’re capable of, getting rid of McGeady could have multiple negatives.
The Irishman has played at the highest level and knows what it takes to win, an attribute that the squad seems to be severely lacking in, and his contribution on the pitch will be difficult to replace too.
Sunderland’s lack of creativity has been badly evidenced by a shocking goal return under Parkinson, and therefore he should be doing all he can to add to his team’s attacking strength, not taking away from it.
McGeady has six goals and two assists this term but when at the top of his game, such as Gillingham in the FA Cup, he can be unplayable, and that means he will be sorely missed.
A player of his history and reputation likely garners a lot of respect in the dressing room, so there is always a risk that his exit could alienate a few and cause their effort levels to drop even further – something the Black Cats simply can’t afford.
Time will tell but so far nothing is working out for Parkinson and though change is needed, this may be the wrong route to take.
With McGeady ostracised, Parkinson will need other players in his squad to step up and perform, starting with the trip to Blackpool.