Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray admits it is ‘not easy’ for Joe Gelhardt to be thrust into a key role straight after joining on loan from Leeds United. He signed the striker in January.
The Black Cats sought to hire Gelhardt for the rest of the season to improve their attacking options. But Mowbray is now relying on the 20-year-old to lead his Champions club having lost Ross Stewart. He needed surgery earlier this month after a term-ending Achilles injury.
Gelhardt had only played 426 minutes during his 19 appearances across all competitions at Leeds under Jesse Marsch this term. He had also failed to score but offered three assists, including two in the Premier League. Yet the England youth star only started in four games.
Gelhardt has settled into a pivotal role straight after joining Sunderland on loan
Mowbray has already afforded Gelhardt 398 minutes having started in all five of his games in the Championship so far. The forward also penned his first goal for the Stadium of Light natives on Tuesday. He found the back of the net during a 2-1 defeat at Rotherham United.
The Liverpool-born talent also recorded his first assist for the Black Cats last Saturday in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City. Gelhardt fed Jack Clarke to break the deadlock after 59 minutes. But Nahki Wells later struck in stoppage time to salvage a point for the Robins on the road.
Sunderland’s trip to Rotherham also returned Gelhardt’s first 90-minute appearance under Mowbray on loan from Leeds. He had already featured for 89 minutes on debut at Millwall in their 1-1 draw. He then played 75 against Reading, 81 at QPR and 63 against Bristol City.
Read Related Also: Hayden Panettiere's brother Jansen dead at 28: Actor passed in New York, cause of death unclear
Gelhardt will now look to build on his debut goal for the Black Cats on Saturday when they travel to Coventry City. Tuesday’s defeat at Rotherham saw Sunderland fall to eighth in the table having started the night in sixth. But they only trail the play-off places by one point.
Mowbray backs Gelhardt to deliver but must be mindful of the Leeds youngster
Mowbray believes Gelhardt ‘will score goals’ through his loan spell with Sunderland as the Leeds gem ‘works really hard’. But the Black Cats boss also admits the striker’s spell in the North East will be a learning curve as he needs to start in consecutive games alone up top.
“Is it important he’s got off the mark? Listen, strikers have to score goals, don’t they?” Mowbray said, via The Northern Echo. “That’s their job – it’s what they do. Although he’s only a very young boy and he’s being asked to play up front every game on his own.
“It’s not easy for him and we have to try to give him support and help him. He has to keep working as hard as he is. Whether he can keep doing it for the next 13 games or whatever it is, is going to be a big ask.
“He’s only a boy who’s never really played consecutive games but we’ll see. It’ll be a good learning curve for him.”
In other news, Tottenham transfer news: Fenerbahce offer £1.7m to sign Lucas Moura
