Joe Gelhardt‘s lack of goals in a Sunderland shirt continued over the weekend as the out-on-loan Leeds man failed to score in his side’s 0-0 draw with Burnley on Friday night – and the Sunderland Echo gave him a rating of 6/10.
The 20-year-old joined Sunderland in January and was fully expected to go on and shine in England’s second tier. There have certainly been glimpses, but Gelhardt has just one goal and two assists in 11 outings for the Black Cats.
With star striker Ross Stewart injured, it has seen Tony Mowbray forced to start with the England U21 star. But his lack of goals is affecting his confidence, according to the Sunderland boss. He failed to score on Friday night, again.
That is, despite churning out a decent performance in a match where no-one scored. A good point for Sunderland against runaway leaders Burnley who close to automatic promotion. The Echo praised Gelhardt for his work rate.
“Ran himself into the ground and his pressing almost yielded a couple of big chances. Little sight of goal, couldn’t quite get the shot away in those rare moments,” the Echo reported over the weekend, handing him a 6/10 rating.
Sunderland Echo give out-on-loan Leeds man Gelhardt a rating of 6/10
It will come as another frustrating one for Gelhardt, who did have a couple of half chances to score. But, ultimately, Joffy is doing everything he can do besides scoring – linking up the play and working his socks off to impress.
He is showing Sunderland fans and his manager that even if he is not scoring, his relentless work rate means he is more than deserving of a starting spot. Seven games to go, Joffy will be hoping to add two or three in that time.
