Sunderland Fan View: Time for Rodwell to hit the road Jack

The reasons for Sunderland’s longstanding struggles are labyrinthine and worrying. However, one concern in particular hindering the club in recent years is poor player recruitment. There are unfortunately many examples to choose from in this regard but the poster boy must surely be Jack Rodwell.

The midfielder has now started 35 league games for the Black Cats – the equivalent of nearly a full season – and failed to see his side win any of them. It cannot be considered a coincidence and it is sad indictment of a player that was once Sunderland’s marquee signing.

After joining the club in 2014 for £10million there was inevitably a degree of optimism from supporters. Ironically his capture was thought of at the time as being somewhat of a coup. Given the success he enjoyed at Everton where he broke through the ranks showing quality, composure and maturity beyond his years, some believed he would finally fully realise that potential at Sunderland. They were wrong, very wrong.

Once hailed as a potential England captain and lauded as a young player with stardust around him, Rodwell has not only catastrophically failed to live up to those expectations he has now regressed further than ever.

On too many occasions he has mirrored Sunderland’s own hapless principles – just when you think a corner has been turned, we quickly return to square one.

Of course if we spoke to the player he will likely have his own views on why his career has stalled. Perhaps he would point to the limited opportunities that came his way once he joined the ‘Galacticos’ at Manchester City. During those important formative years as a young professional footballer he spent too long on the bench. Certainly Rodwell was vocal about the impact this had on his form around the time he made the journey north to Wearside.

He may also point to Sunderland’s revolving door of managers. It must prove difficult to constantly adapt to the challenge of new methods that each new coach brings, and the 25 year old has had his fair share of new appointments to deal with.

Injuries have also hampered the England international’s career too. At times he seems to be held together with only scotch tape and a prayer, such is the regularity of his time on the treatment table. There is a lack of aggression in his game and you wonder whether the constant threat of yet another long lay off plays heavy on his mind during a match.

However, Rodwell is now at another crossroads and there can now be no excuses.

The finger of blame cannot be pointed at anyone else or any other circumstance. The player himself must look within and accept that despite the numerous opportunities he has enjoyed over the years he has botched every one.

Why, despite the undoubted talent that lurks beneath, is he unable to tap into that on a consistent basis? That is a mystery that too many have attempted to answer for too long for there to be any doubt left – Rodwell is simply incapable of doing so.

If David Moyes had a fully fit squad to choose from he would not be in the side and the player has to accept responsibility for that. He does not do sufficient to justify his inclusion nor has he done readily enough for three years now.

Every manager at Sunderland has surely tried to nurture him and coax his abilities out. Afterall, they have had £10million worth of ‘talent’ at their disposal. Sam Allardyce often spoke of Rodwell yet when his chance came the player failed to deliver, at best missing big goals in important games, and at worst letting the entire match pass him by.

Yet if any manager was going to get the best out of Jack Rodwell it was going to be David Moyes having brought him through at Everton. However, given Rodwell’s continued failings since the Scot arrived on Wearside in the summer of 2016 he must surely now be deemed a lost cause.

Avoiding relegation will be a huge task for Sunderland this season but perhaps an even bigger challenge will be finding a buyer for Jack Rodwell during the January transfer window. That is surely an ask too far.