Standing next to bottom of the Championship points table20 games into the season, Chris Coleman’s Black Cats are in real danger of dropping to League 1 this year. They have picked up seven points in their last nine games, including a victory over bottom-placed Burton Albion, and the manager will look to add some quality to his side in January, to help them build on this run of form.
Having let in 38 goals already this season, the Championship side has a problem at the back that needs to be solved and Coleman is sure to spend on a defender in the January transfer window. And one name now doing the rounds is Jamie Robson.
A target for Premier League outfit Southampton, Robson is currently the first choice left-back for the Scottish side Dundee United and has been in decent form this season. He made his first senior appearance at the club, coming in from the youth side, back in 2011 but has made just 33 top-flight appearances in the Scottish Championship, 15 of which have come this season.
Capable of playing anywhere in the backline, the 19-year old is primarily a left-back, who sees Liverpool’s Andy Robertson as an inspiration, is coming off age and is putting in some consistent displays this season.
His acceleration and pace on the flank are his biggest threat but at just 19, his understanding of the game is what has made him a target for clubs in England. He is aggressive and pro-active, likes to be on the front foot and loves winning the ball back quickly to initiate counter attacks, and this has been evident on a regular basis at the Tannadice Park this season.
He is under a contract with his current club till 2021 and there is no reason for them to let the player leave anytime sooner. However, he is only getting better and clubs, with better financial powers, are sure to lurk around in every transfer window.
The youngster will need promises on his game time, to add to the financial incentives, if he has to make a move but if the Stadium of Light a good option for him, is a bit debatable.
Coleman has used Brain Oviedo on a regular basis at left-back this season, while Everton loanee Brendon Galloway is his only genuine back up in the squad. But both players have shown decent craft this season, with Oviedo standing as one of the most impressive players in the backline for the club to date.
It is hard to see Robson make an impact at the Stadium of Light anytime soon and though his versatility could help the Championship outfit, he is not what they need right now. They need an established player who can turn their season around and should come back for Robson after the end of the season, hopefully still in the Championship.
