BAILEY WRIGHT - IS HE ANY GOOD? Bristol City fan gives his opinion of Sunderland’s new defender

RR: Sunderland fans probably don’t know much about Bailey Wright. What can you tell us about him?

TOR: Bailey is an Australian international. He’s able to play at both centre back and right back. Whilst at City he primarily did a job at right back - initially he started his spell here well, but injuries and poor form have seen become surplus to requirements.

He’s a top person off the pitch, doing a lot for charities.

RR: Do you think that this is a good signing for Sunderland?

TOR: I think he could still do a job at Championship level to be honest, and he’s only 27, so this could prove to be a coup for Sunderland.

RR: Phil Parkinson plays a 3-4-2-1 system, with three central defenders. Do you think Wright is capable of playing in a back three? If so, which would be his favoured position?

TOR: I think Bailey plays well in a back three as he has more protection around him from other defenders. He does lack a bit of pace, but he will always try his hardest. His preferred position in a back three would be the right sided centre back.

RR: I couldn’t help but notice that Bailey is your club captain, which suggests he’s a good leader. What would you say his best qualities are?

TOR: His best qualities are his leadership skills. He was club captain here, he was also club captain for a time at his previous club Preston North End. He does the easy stuff well, and is never scared to put in a challenge.

RR: What would you say his biggest weaknesses are as a player?

TOR: One of his weaknesses is his pace. He isn’t the quickest of players and is often beaten by players with pace, unless he can foul them. He is also susceptible to injuries. He has suffered many injuries since arriving here, and they always seem to be long term. He continually has problems with his back, he has done ever since he arrived.

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RR: Why has Wright found himself out of favour at Bristol City?

TOR: Bailey has found himself out of favour at City for a number of reasons. One of them being the above stated injuries - this keeps him out the team for long periods of time, not making him first choice. We have also brought in other centre backs that do a better job than Bailey - we have Nathan Baker, Tomas Kalas, Ashley Williams, and with Taylor Moore impressing too, he became surplus to requirements.

His imminent departure now means we can go for a ball-playing centre half, having not replaced Adam Webster in the summer following his £20m move to Brighton.

RR: What would you say to any Sunderland fans who aren’t convinced by the signing of Wright?

TOR: Give him time. He will be frustrating occasionally, but he will do a job for you. As I’ve said previously, he is a solid defender at the level you are currently playing at, but we just need a better standard of defender if we are to make that final push.