Sunderland 3, Barrow 0
Jan 4 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
WITH two Sunderland debutants, another playing only his second game, and a teenager as the Black Cats’ best performer, a routine FA Cup third round win could easily be billed as the start of some sort of new era for the Wearsiders.
But perhaps its greatest significance was in the effect it could have on a player who has been at the Stadium of Light for half a season.
Fraizer Campbell needed the two goals that booked his side’s place in round four. Steve Bruce has been unwavering in his faith in the summer signings but no striker can afford to go too long without goals, and the England Under-21 international’s record of one League Cup goal in 18 appearances was in danger of bringing his value to the side into question.
On paper this was a game in which Sunderland had nothing to gain and everything to lose. Bruce had little choice but to field his strongest side on a slippery pitch which threatened both the health of his few fit players and their FA Cup prospects against a side not used to the manicured lawns of the modern Premier League.
Victory would end a miserable seven-match sequence without, but statistics are irrelevant, it is confidence that matters, and not much could have been taken from seeing off a side who are, after all, at the wrong end of the Conference.
But for a centre-forward – and for all his appearances on the right-hand side of midfield, that is what Sunderland’s number nine is – goals are goals. Had it not been for the inspired Tim Deasy, Campbell would have had a hat-trick despite a dreadful first half.
