RR - A Love Supreme: Introducing The Jack Rodwell Paradox (2025)

Is Jack Rodwell's form a victim of Sunderland's poor form or vice versa? Roker Report guest and A Love Supreme editor Chris Thompson explores the Rodwell paradox. Six games gone and still no wins. Not a terrible start given that we have picked up five points, but the lack of victories sees us sitting in 17th place, just two points ahead of bottom...

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Stevos said:

I do wonder why Poyet is so keen on the 4-1-4-1 formation, when pretty much every other manager in the league plays 4-2-3-1. If we had Rodwell or Larsson deeper, alongside Cattermole, would it allow for a more creative central midfielder ahead of them? Giaccherini or Alvarez maybe?
When teams like Stoke come to SOL, I'd love to see us really get at them with a potent attacking front 4 of Wickham, supported by Johnson, Buckley and either Giacc or Ricky.

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Totally agree with this, although I get the impression Poyet is making us difficult to beat first, before moving onto to the more creative element

Good article. I reckon we can only play 2 of our current 3 CM's….Cattermole, Rodwell and Larsson

…and any 3 of Johnson, Buckley, Gomez, Alvarez and Giaccherini.

Larsson is a frustrating player but his stats are quite impressive and he probably doesn't deserve to be dropped.

I think we should try this against Stoke, and still have Rodwell, Alvarez and Giaccherini in reserve. It will probably be an old fashioned English game, with a few bumps and bruises and I think that 5 could do the job we need on Saturday. (Not every week)

BTW, does anyone know who our penalty taker is? I feel one deciding this game.

Stevos said:

I do wonder why Poyet is so keen on the 4-1-4-1 formation, when pretty much every other manager in the league plays 4-2-3-1. If we had Rodwell or Larsson deeper, alongside Cattermole, would it allow for a more creative central midfielder ahead of them? Giaccherini or Alvarez maybe?
When teams like Stoke come to SOL, I'd love to see us really get at them with a potent attacking front 4 of Wickham, supported by Johnson, Buckley and either Giacc or Ricky.

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It's more like 4-1-2-3 we play to be fair.

Rodwell is playing no differently to how he has throughout his career, when he actually has played that is.

His reputation was once based upon the fact he was young and therefore had 'potential', rather than any particularly notable performances.

His reputation now is based upon the fact that he used to have a reputation.

Felis Catus said:

He suffers from Jermain Jenas syndrome: a neat, tidy footballer that keeps possession ticking over but serves no attacking or defensive purpose at all.

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Pretty much this.

Hulkster said:

Rodwell is playing no differently to how he has throughout his career, when he actually has played that is.

His reputation was once based upon the fact he was young and therefore had 'potential', rather than any particularly notable performances.

His reputation now is based upon the fact that he used to have a reputation.

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Said it when we bought him, never have been sure of what type of midfielder he is tbh. Mate's an Everton fan and he said his best position, iho, was centre half.

Hulkster said:

Rodwell is playing no differently to how he has throughout his career, when he actually has played that is.

His reputation was once based upon the fact he was young and therefore had 'potential', rather than any particularly notable performances.

His reputation now is based upon the fact that he used to have a reputation.

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As much as I don't want to agree with this I have to like. Am hoping we actually see this potential while with us.

wingding said:

Chill guys. Fortunately Gus knows a hell of a lot more than us. I've complained in the other rodders thread that he shouldn't be playing, but at the end of the day it's Gus who is trying to make this magic system of his work. He sees the lads every day in training so we have to chill and enjoy the ride. In Gus we trust!!

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I agree. But, like I say, I do sometimes wonder if he knows better than the other managers who play 4-2-3-1. It's not about personnel, either. He played the same formation at Brighton and has said this is how he likes his teams to set up.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Gus and fully behind him as manager, but I know he came in for criticism from some Brighton supporters for not having a plan B when things weren't going well. I don't think it's a case of not having a plan B, he's far too clever a man for that to be the case, but I do hope it's not a case loyalty to his favourite system at all costs.

Scotsmackem said:

It's more like 4-1-2-3 we play to be fair.

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That's the theory, when attacking, with the wide players dropping back to make 4-1-4-1 when not in possession. You just have to look at how isolated Fletcher, and then Wickham have been though, to realise this hasn't really worked so far. Hopefully this will change but when you are playing with midfielders or wingers in the wide roles, instead of a Borini or a Wellbeck, then you have players out of position and the system becomes trickier to get right.
Early days though - keep the faith

Scotsmackem said:

It's more like 4-1-2-3 we play to be fair.

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True but the lad has a very good point. I think the idea was for Rodwell to play box to box and get goals from midfield but I do think we would be better suited to playing him alongside Catts and putting Alvarez, Gomez or Giacherini in behind the striker

Wylie Coyote said:

True but the lad has a very good point. I think the idea was for Rodwell to play box to box and get goals from midfield but I do think we would be better suited to playing him alongside Catts and putting Alvarez, Gomez or Giacherini in behind the striker

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To be fair that's what I hoped as well. I also still think it might go that way once Alvarez has settled in

The Rolls Royce said:

Not sure why he was touted as a box to box midfielder, his goalscoring record isnt great and he isn't known for defence splitting passes. Seems like an old school central midfielder to me, which in the modern game seems to have evolved into the defensive midfield role, where we are well covered.

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He's probably the best passer of the ball at the club