Bendtner watch: Episode 5

Nicklas Bendtner made his seventh appearance for Sunderland in Saturday’s dour 0-0 draw against fellow Premier League strugglers Fulham.

It was a quiet game from the great Dane, who offered very little in terms of an attacking threat – often popping up on the wings when being in the box would have benefited Sunderland more.

Of course, that’s not purely Bendtner’s fault. Perhaps if his team-mates had have been more effective, Bendtner wouldn’t have had to try to do other peoples jobs, as well as his own.

Credited with two goals since joining the red and white of Sunderland, his time on Wearside has been very much a case of hit and miss.

He has been unlucky in the sense that much of his time playing under Steve Bruce has resulted in him playing the lone striker role, which was not working.

Then after striking up a decent looking partnership with Connor Wickham, Wickham went and sustained an injury at Old Trafford which looks set to keep the 18-year-old out of action for a while.

So there is no doubt he has been unlucky, as being able to strike up a partnership with somebody will no doubt benefit him, but he has to start playing where he actually is supposed to – as a forward.

After all, he is a big lad, and having him out wide trying to whip in a cross for the Black Cats’ smallest player – Stephane Sessegnon – makes no sense at all, and that is what happened on too many occasions on Saturday.

That said, he did once again show a lot of nice touches and clever flicks, but must start scoring more goals if his current club are to climb the table.

Two goals in seven games, one of which was somewhat fortunate, isn’t really the form that is going to attract the attention of Champions League clubs – which is where the Dane has hinted he wants to be playing his football at after his loan with Sunderland expires.

WTTGT Writer: David McManus