Ross Stewart has developed into a 'top player' and an 'all-round number nine' after improving all aspects of his game over the summer, according to Alex Neil. Stewart was Sunderland's 26-goal top scorer last term as the Black Cats earned promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.
The challenge for the Scot was to prove that he can play at a higher level and, only four games into the season, he has already demonstrated that he has taken it in his stride, with two goals to his name already. "I think Ross' link-up has improved dramatically from last year," said Neil.
"He could run channels, he could score goals, but I think he is an all-round number nine now, isn't he? He can link it, he can run, he can score, he's good in the air, he can take it in and link it for you and you can work off him.
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"Yeah, he's a top player."
Stewart has developed a fruitful partnership with on-loan Everton man Ellis Simms and Neil revealed that, even when Sunderland were reduced to ten men against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last night, he kept the pair on the pitch because he was convinced they could get the Black Cats back into the game.
But when Sheffield United scored at the beginning of the second half to go 2-0 up, that was the point that Neil had to change things and he brought Simms off and left Stewart to lead the line alone - a role that he excels in.
Neil said: "I thought the front two were brilliant, and unfortunately when we conceded the second goal we needed to batten down the hatches down the sides because that's where Sheffield United attack you. I felt that if we could keep our two forwards on the pitch, they are such a handful that at any moment we can score a goal.
"But when we conceded the second we needed to change it and attack them down the flanks instead, and it paid dividends because we got the goal with Goochy [Lynden Gooch] breaking down the side."
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