One Sunderland star has been told he put on his ‘best all-round performance’ of the season this weekend.
Sunderland rounded off an excellent week with a big three points yesterday, as Pierre Ekwah’s first half goal resulted in back-to-back wins against West Brom.
Mike Dodds enjoyed consecutive victories over the Baggies and Leeds United during his previous spell in charge, and his team put two solid displays in both reverse fixtures too.
The Black Cats remain mid-table after their trip to The Hawthorns, but fans have been left feeling a lot more positive about next season after picking up five clean sheets in their last six games.
Dan Ballard was the centre of attention throughout the game as he was booed from the offset after accidentally injuring Josh Maja in the reverse fixture, before putting on a ‘dominant’ performance and celebrating in front of the home fans as we claimed the three points.
However, another player that deserves huge credit – and has already been hailed as the Black Cats’ ‘most dangerous player’ yesterday – is Chris Rigg.
The 16-year-old made his sixth start of the campaign and has received high praise from Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith, who claimed it was his ‘best all-round performance’ since making his debut in January 2023.
Chris Rigg’s ‘best all-round performance’
Speaking on the Echo’s YouTube channel, Smith said: “I thought that was Chris Rigg’s best all-round performance today. Even in the first half when Sunderland weren’t playing very well as a team, I thought he looked really comfortable on the ball and played some lovely little passes into Pembele, which he probably could have done a little bit more with.
“Looked after the ball really well, teamed up with Dan Neil for Sunderland’s best chance in the early stages of the second half. I think we’ve got to give credit to Dodds because playing him in that slightly wider role is a really nice one for him, because there isn’t that huge pressure to be in the heat of the battle and there’s enough space and time for him on the ball.
“He looked so at ease today against a good team. His talent is unbelievable and I’m really hoping this run of games and the reception he’s getting from the fans convinces him to stick around, because at the moment, he’s going to be on the first team on merit and he’s going to put pressure on people like Roberts and Ba.”
Where will Riggy be next season?
Sunderland have so many promising players such as Dan Ballard, Dan Neil and Trai Hume, but it’s difficult to see anyone having as high of a ceiling as Chris Rigg.
Supporters begged for him to be brought into the starting line-up under Michael Beale and it finally happened with Mike Dodds, and the interim coach certainly won’t have any regrets about giving him his chances.
The teenager looks so mature and fits in so comfortably against some of the Championship’s best teams.
He is still so young and there is no denying that he will be a top player for a club in the Premier League one day, but for now I think we will really be able to reap the rewards of his talent.
Rigg clearly isn’t stupid and will understand the game-time and the development he can enjoy here, so I can definitely see us getting a whole season out of him next term.
From then on who knows, but for now we just need to enjoy his brilliance.