This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Brandon Taylor impressed on what was just his second start for Sunderland against Gillingham, staking a good claim to begin starting on a regular basis as a result.
On the chalkboard
The centre-back is only 20 years of age but he put in an accomplished and composed performance at the back, helping his side to keep a clean sheet until midway through extra-time.
He showed an array of abilities throughout which should stand him in good stead in his bid to make the first-team on a more permanent basis.
Perhaps his stand-out attribute for a player so inexperienced was his reading of the game, as it allowed him to snuff out danger while maintaining an organised shape – an aspect of his game which is likely to serve him well regardless of how many centre-backs he is partnered by (two on this occasion).
Added to that, he showed physicality as well as skill on the ball, and if he continues to play he should build on those parts of his game, which would enable him to become a well-rounded player suited to Parkinson’s team.
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First-team place?
One of the few areas of strength for the Black Cats this season has been the defence – with only 16 goals conceded in 15 league games – and therefore Taylor faces a tough task to break into the starting line-up on a regular basis, despite a positive display.
Both Joel Lynch and Jordan Willis only arrived at the club in the summer and so far they haven’t done a lot wrong, and their knowledge of the league and their combined experience could provide the strong platform they need for promotion.
That means it would take a bold call from Parkinson to play Taylor on a regular basis, but the switch to a 3-5-2 in mid-week signalled that the manager may be willing to make adjustments in order to integrate the youngster into the team.
One factor that should be noted is that Taylor was part of a makeshift backline, with Alim Ozturk and Laurens De Bock the other centre-backs who featured, both of whom haven’t played too often this season.
As a result, playing alongside the more experienced pair mentioned above could see Taylor excel even more, and Parkinson could trust him to play since he would have their on-field guidance to follow.
Whether he starts to play regularly soon or not, his presence at the club is a positive as it means Sunderland may have produced another young player, and he could be one for the future.
