Mike Dodds acknowledges that Nazariy Rusyn will face heightened expectations in the upcoming season but remains optimistic about the Sunderland striker’s ability to thrive in the Championship.
Rusyn, who arrived at Sunderland from Zorya Luhansk last summer, struggled to make an impact in his debut season in England, tallying only two goals in 22 senior appearances for the Black Cats. Dodds even resorted to playing without a traditional center-forward due to the lack of goal-scoring threat posed by the club’s strikers.
Despite arriving with a solid reputation from his time with Dynamo Kyiv and previous appearances for Ukraine’s Under-21 team, Rusyn encountered several challenges during his initial months with Sunderland. Language barriers and visa issues for his family added to the complexities of adapting to a new environment and style of play.
Dodds acknowledges that while expectations may have been high for Rusyn, considering these challenges, it would have been unfair to demand more from him. Currently sidelined with an injury, Rusyn is expected to return to full fitness in time for the pre-season training.
Sunderland is likely to strengthen their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window, but there’s hope that Rusyn will establish himself as a vital part of the team. With improvements in language skills, family settlement, and overall comfort in the region, Dodds anticipates that Rusyn will face increased pressure but believes he will showcase his true potential in the forthcoming season.
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