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Charlie Wyke has desperately struggled to live up to expectation at Sunderland this season, but Keith Curle’s admission suggests that the reasons behind his form lie within Jack Ross’ approach.
What’s the word?
Wyke has struggled to find his feet at the Stadium of Light since completing his transfer from Bradford City last summer.
His decent goal scoring record at both Bradford and Carlisle hinted that Jack Ross had secured the services of a future talisman, but he has been incredibly underwhelming so far.
Curle, who managed the 26-year-old during their time together at Carlisle, has suggested that his struggle to find the net is symptomatic of the Sunderland manager’s preferred playing style, as per Sunderland Echo.
“Charlie needs a run of games and to be able to build up a relationship with a strike partner, and the team needs to put balls in the box.
“He’s better playing in a two. Charlie hasn’t got pace, so he won’t get away from people and run the channels.”
Ross’ preference for a lone striker is bad news for Wyke
The Black Cats are well in the hunt for automatic promotion this season as they seek to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking, and that’s largely down to Ross’ influence since taking charge last summer.
If Curle’s recent comments are anything to go by, it would appear that the Sunderland manager’s preference to operate with a 4-2-3-1 formation is serving as a detriment to Wyke’s form.
Naturally, the striker’s form can partly be explained by the injury problems he has experienced this season, but without a strike partner to bounce off he may continue to disappoint on Wearside.
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Time will tell whether Curle has a point, but there is plenty of evidence from Wyke’s time at Sunderland so far to prove there is a weight of substance behind his claim.