Edwards gets a chance to shine
Jan 17 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
CARLOS Edwards has been told to make the most of his opportunity to wrestle the right-wing slot from the suspended Steed Malbranque if he is unleashed against Aston Villa today.
Malbranque’s fifth booking of the season offers Edwards the chance to kick-start a Black Cats career that has stalled since the club was promoted the Premier League.
The winger was a pivotal part of the team that Roy Keane led to promotion two years ago but injuries and a dip in form conspired to relegate him to a periphery role as Sunderland fought to retain their Premier League status last season.
Keane’s lavish spending over the summer, combined with a mediocre pre-season, seemed to have brought Edwards’ time at the Stadium of Light to an end but, after recovering his confidence during a short loan spell at Wolves, the midfielder is back in the first-team picture on Wearside.
Manager Ricky Sbragia must decide between Edwards and Andy Reid to fill the vacancy created by Malbranque’s suspension – and he has been fulsome in his praise of the Trinidad & Tobago winger.
“His training has been excellent. He has been down in the dumps but now he has a chance of playing and that should excite him,” said Sbragia. “He has chance to make it difficult and we need that kind of competition for places in the squad. I’ve told certain players that I don’t want them to leave and that’s because I would like two players for each position in the squad.
“Carlos has been excellent and he’s been a credit to himself since he came back. I think he is back to the form that made us buy him in the first place.
“He obviously wants to play first-team football but if we communicate with him there’s no problem there and there’s certainly no problem with his commitment or the way he applies himself.”
Sbragia knows he will need Edwards and the rest of the team to be firing against Villa, one of the Premier League’s in-form sides and a dangerous prospect on their travels.
With the pace of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, Sbragia is wary of the way Martin O’Neill’s side can punish teams.
“They have bought a lot of good players and their development system is working. They are a very difficult team and they have a good counter-attacking system,” he said.
“It is no surprise where they are in the league – it will be very tough game. Villa have a good management staff and some very good players.”
MARK DOUGLAS
