Stephen Elliott: Sunderland need to learn from Josh Maja mistakes and tie Charlie Wyke down to a new deal

Huge credit should be given to Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson for helping get the big striker firing.

He looks a real goal threat in every game and if he continues in this form, then there is no reason why Sunderland can’t have a big push for promotion.

On Saturday, besides his goal, I thought he put in an outstanding all-round performance.

He led the line well and his link-up play was top notch.

This side of his game has not been his strongest point since his move to the Black Cats but on Saturday I thought he was exemplary on that front.

He has a real swagger about him currently and it is great to see.

He looks like he now believes he belongs at the club.

I know Charlie as a lad due to our paths crossing briefly at Carlisle at the start of his career, so I know first-hand how much he puts everything into being the best he can be, every day.

It’s great to see his effort paying off now in a red and white shirt.

What I would stress is, now he is such a key player for the club, it would be very wise to tie him up to a new deal as there is no doubt would-be suitors will have taken notice of this form.

One thing Sunderland have struggled with since Josh Maja left is to have a regular goal scorer.

Surely the club won’t let something similar happen again.

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