It’s no surprise that the Black Cats gave up entirely during Southampton’s away game at Sunderland when Daniel Ballard hobbled out in the second half.
The lack of the Sunderland number five became apparent towards the conclusion of the game, particularly when Russell Martin’s team’s Joe Rothwell scored a fast double to give the Saints a 4-2 lead and deliver Mike Dodds another loss in the interim head coach’s chair.
The struggling Black Cats, who have already lost six straight games in the Championship, will hope that Ballard isn’t sidelined for an extended period of time.
If the suspected hamstring knock does sideline the ex-Arsenal youngster for the foreseeable, Dodds could well look towards the youth available to him at the Stadium of Light to boldly add more bodies to the heart of defence.
The young talent who could replace Ballard
It’s not as if Dodds is afraid to give those starlets coming through at Wearside a moment to shine, showcased in 16-year-old Chris Rigg starting the interim manager’s last two games in the Championship in the middle of the park.
18-year-old centre-back Henry Fieldson could be the next to be thrust into the spotlight, with the teenage defender starring this season for the U21s.
Fieldson made an impression for the U18s by making 50 appearances and scored two goals while stepping forward from the back. Over the last several seasons, he has adapted well to the step up to the U21 squad.
In that age group, Fieldson has made nine appearances this season; in one, the homegrown player even made an appearance and started at defensive midfield against Nottingham Forest.
When Fieldson signed a professional contract with Sunderland last year, Academy manager Robin Nicholls called him a “real leader.” If Dodds were to throw the 18-year-old into the thick of things in the Championship, he might well fancy seeing what Fieldson is made of now.
With Luke O’Nien also out with a suspension for Sunderland’s next game, and Ballard’s injury yet to be revealed in its full severity, you could well see Fieldson given this opportunity sooner rather than later as this weekend’s crunch clash with Queens Park Rangers comes into view.
Everything good coming out of Sunderland now, even with their predicament looking dreary in the second tier, is arguably stemming from the emergence of top young talents at the Stadium of Light.
Jobe Bellingham in particular continues to be a shining light amongst all the doom and gloom on Wearside, with the ex-Birmingham City teenager firing in a delightful effort last time out even as his side succumbed to a disappointing loss.
If Bellingham can thrive in the first-team set-up at the same age as Fieldson, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see the promising centre-back be given moments here and there to show his class away from Premier League 2 action soon.
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