'An absolute rock' - Philip West gushes over Sunderland 'warrior' who won 75% of his duels

Philip West has lavished Sunderland ‘warrior’ Bailey Wright with praise after they reached the League One play-off final. 

Sunderland beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on aggregate to secure a shot at promotion to the Championship. Lee Gregory gave the Owls the lead at Hillsborough in the 74th minute, and the game appeared set for extra-time before Patrick Roberts scored a dramatic goal three minutes into stoppage time to send the visitors through.

Alex Neil’s side have set up a winner-takes-all meeting with Wycombe at Wembley on Saturday 21.

Wright played the full 90 minutes on the right side of a back three that also included Danny Batth and Dennis Cirkin.

The £720,000-rated ace has played every minute of league and play-off football dating back to mid-February.

West, a writer and podcaster at the Roker Report, applauded Wright for continuing to play even through injury.

He feels that the defender’s commitment epitomised the values of Sunderland as a football club.

“Bailey Wright, what a warrior,” he tweeted. “Bloodstained shirt, blood trickling down his face, but he was an absolute rock tonight. That’s what playing for this club is about. Heart of a lion.”

The stats reflect Wright’s battling performance. He won six of the eight duels he contested on the night (75%), including five of his seven aerial battles.

It’s also worth acknowledging team-mate Batth, who sat at the heart of the back three. He too was an ‘absolute rock’ for the Black Cats, prevailing in ten out of 14 duels and also coming up with three blocks and seven clearances.

Both players deserve to be guaranteed starting places come the final.

In other news, Kieran Maguire reacts to big behind-the-scenes news. 

Source