Sunderland may defeat Ekwah by unleashing their 7/10 “genius” instead.
If Sunderland loses to Southampton today, the stand-in 37-year-old Black Cats manager would have lost four Championship games in a row, pushing them farther down the table.
A victory over Russell Martin’s Saints might greatly boost the club’s chances, forcing Dodds to ponder potential signings to kickstart a good trend.
Pierre Ekwah, an ex-West Ham United prospect, was not at his best in his team’s 1-0 loss to Leicester City in midweek, and he might be dropped for fresh blood to start tomorrow.
Pierre Ekwah’s performance vs Leicester in numbers
The 22-year-old midfielder struggled against Enzo Maresca’s Foxes, failing to register a single shot on Mads Hermansen’s goal while adding to his season total of four goals.
Furthermore, Ekwah failed to produce a single perfect cross or complete a single dribble in the 1-0 defeat, as the hosts – without the Sunderland number 39 – struggled to cut through the table-toppers with any purpose or enthusiasm.
| Sunderland’s last five meetings vs Southampton | |
|---|---|
| Date and Comp | Result |
| 2nd of September 2023 – Championship | 5-0 Sunderland win |
| 11th of February 2017 – Premier League | 4-0 Saints win |
| 26th of October 2016 – League Cup | 1-0 Saints win |
| 27th of August 2016 – Premier League | 1-1 draw |
| 5th of March 2016 – Premier League | 1-1 draw |
| Sourced by 11v11 | |
Dodds may be tempted to stay with Ekwah despite his poor showing last week, given his prior appearance against Southampton.
Sunderland overcame their difficult South Coast opponents 5-0 at the Stadium of Light, with the former Hammers youngster scoring twice. This was the Mackems’ first victory in the previous five encounters between the two former Premier League clubs.
Regardless, Ekwah should not be retained just on the basis of his poor performance against Leicester, with Adil Aouchiche keen to step in and impress his compatriots after a brilliant cameo off the bench against the Foxes.
Adil Aouchiche’s performance vs Leicester in numbers
Since leaving France for Wearside last year, the former Paris St. Germain prospect has had a mixed experience at the Stadium of Light. He will look to build on his success against Maresca’s players when called in to create an impact.
Aouchiche produced three crucial passes in 30 minutes against Leicester, showcasing his eagerness to create chances from the outset.
The swift 5 foot 11 midfielder was unafraid to test Hermansen with shot after shot, in contrast to a cautious Ekwah who managed zero. He registered five shots on the Danish goalkeeper’s net to keep him on his toes as other players took a back seat.
Despite his brief appearance, Roker Report columnist Andy Tomlinson gave Aouchiche a 7/10 rating and stated that the ex-PSG player “really troubled” Leicester.
Jacek Kulig, a football talent scout, referred to Aouchiche as a “little genius” during his time in the France U17 ranks, when he scored 16 goals in 25 games. Dodds hopes to see Aouchiche’s dynamic performance continue throughout the 90-minute encounter.
Today’s game might be the biggest opportunity to witness what the 21-year-old is capable of from the start, a potential masterstroke move from Dodds if the explosive French talent can lead Sunderland to a rare victory.
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