The Sunderland boss has revealed that the 23-year-old will be plying his trade at the wing in his side’s upcoming Premier League game against West Ham following the Irish attacker’s below par displays at the centre of the park.
Sunderland head coach, Martin O’Neill, has made it clear that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-McClean-c17703 will be returning to his normal position at the wing in the Black Cats’ upcoming English Premier League clash against West Ham United at Stadium of Light on Saturday, January 12.
The 23-year-old, who has been representing the Black Cats since moving to Stadium of Light in the summer of 2011, failed to meet expectations during his side’s last two league outings against Tottenham Hotspur and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 at the centre of the park.
And the former Aston Villa boss has admitted that the Irish attacker is most effective when playing at the wing.
“I thought he would give us a bit of physical strength in there, which we lack against other teams in the Premier League. But as to whether it is a long-term thing, I am not really sure about that. James is still learning his own position out wide, and it
is a different issue going in there”, O’Neill was quoted as saying to the club’s official website,
The vastly experienced trainer went on to insist that playing at different positions will only help the Irish international to improve his skills further.
“In terms of his overall game, it will do him no harm at all. Even though it is only 15 yards infield, you get a very different picture – you see things another way. When you are playing out wide, they say the white line is your friend – nobody is going
to come from behind the line to tackle you”, O’Neill concluded.
McClean has thus far made close to 50 Premier League appearances for Sunderland, netting six goals while setting up plenty more along the way.
However, the 23-year-old has still got a lot to learn, and would be hoping to return to his best when his side takes on the Hammers at home on Saturday.
Sunderland are currently sitting 14th on the Premier League table.
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