Sunderland's striker rotation policy is no bad thing - but does Will Grigg deserve an opportunity to shine?

Phil Parkinson, who for so long last season put his trust in a stable and settled starting line-up, is beginning to shuffle his pack a little bit more.

Sunderland have some real depth in their ranks this term and Parkinson is looking to exploit that – particularly in the forward areas.

In the first three league games of the campaign we’ve already seen each of Will Grigg, Danny Graham and Charlie Wyke handed a start.

This is far from simply giving everyone a chance, there is a methodical approach to these selection calls.

Grigg’s fine form in pre-season convinced Parkinson that he could be the man to stretch a new-look and untested Bristol Rovers back three.

At Oxford, Graham got the nod as Parkinson looked to exploit inexperienced centre back Rob Atkinson.

Against Peterborough, the Wyke and Lynden Gooch’s combination play and willingness to press saw them handed starts.

It’s a new ‘horses for courses’ policy, and it is no bad thing for Sunderland.

Darren Ferguson alluded to this prior to the game with Peterborough United, and there will be few League One clubs who would be able to alternate their forward lines to provide such variety.

But amid all the changes, you have to spare a thought for Will Grigg.

In pre-season, the Northern Irish international looked a fitter, leaner and more positive player than the one Sunderland fans had seen prior to the curtailment of the previous campaign.

Against Hull City and Bristol Rovers, while failing to score, Grigg was a good outlet and there were glimpses of what he could bring to this Sunderland side.

It’s a shame, therefore, that we haven’t been able to see whether he could build upon this positive platform.

In the last two games, the striker has been an unused substitute – although looked ready to enter the fray at the Stadium of Light against Peterborough until Denver Hume won that late penalty.

And with Wyke failing to take his chance against Posh after a subdued display, is now the ideal opportunity top bring Grigg back into the fold?

With a trip to Charlton on the horizon, and with a number of other key selection dilemmas dissolving, Parkinson’s focus will largely be on those forward areas and ensuring the Black Cats pose more of a threat in the final third.

If I were a betting man, I’d wager it would be Graham who starts at The Valley next Saturday.

But there is certainly a strong case for Grigg to be handed another opportunity to shine.

His movement, willingness to press and stretch the play and ability to play off the last shoulder of the backline could help Sunderland from becoming predictable and pedestrian in an attacking sense.

To exploit that fully, the Black Cats would have to ensure they give Grigg the kind of service he craves.

Whether the side are set up to do that is a separate question entirely, and one we won’t really get an answer to until the striker gets a sustained run of games.

It’s something he is deserving of having clearly worked hard over the summer, but for now the ball is back in Grigg’s court to try and force his way back into the side.

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