Amad's talent as a potential matchwinner has left Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray wrestling with a dilemma as he seeks to manage the youngster's gametime. The on-loan Manchester United forward is a key component in Mowbray's Black Cats team, and there is a temptation to play him for 90 minutes every game.
But Mowbray knows that comes at the risk of injury, while fatigue will inevitably reduce his effectiveness as the games catch up with him. Amad has started 20 of Sunderland's last 21 games in all competitions, with Mowbray giving him a breather at QPR ten days ago - albeit the 20-year-old was still involved from the bench for the final half-hour - before restoring him the starting XI against Bristol City last weekend, and he kept his place at Rotherham in midweek.
Amad was a huge hit when he first broke into the side on a regular basis in October, scoring five goals in seven games, but while he is still one of Sunderland's star men, in recent weeks he has - understandably - looked a little jaded at times. Sunderland head to Coventry City tomorrow for what will be their seventh game in 22 days and Amad is virtually certain to start once again, but Mowbray is conscious of the demands on the youngster.
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"I wouldn't criticise Amad," he said. "I'd struggle to pick a team without Amad, although he went through a really hot spell where he scored just about every game for a few weeks.
"I still think he massively contributes to our team and the way we function, even though he's a kid who had never played regular football really - he played handful of games for Atalanta, a handful at Man United, went to Rangers on loan and didn't play much, and then came here. It's the first time ever in his life that he has played men's football week-in, week-out, and it will be very demanding on him.
"It's not surprising that sometimes he doesn't quite hit the pinnacle of his brilliance that he can bring, because he's been playing just about every three days. Could he do with a break? I tried to give him a break [at QPR] but it was only for an hour or so and then he came on and made an impact, just as Patrick [Roberts] did at Rotherham this week.
"I keep saying it, but players are human beings and not robots. They can't keep on producing and churning it out for 90 minutes every three days, they do need a break, they do need to sit on the bench for an hour, or they do need to come off after 60 minutes.
"Just so they can take a gulp of air and get ready for the next one."
The problem for Mowbray is that Amad and Roberts are so important to the way Sunderland play. Roberts was rested at Rotherham on Tuesday as Amad had been at QPR the previous week, but in both games the Black Cats looked a much better team when they were introduced from the bench.
Mowbray said: "I often say to players 'just give Amad the ball' because he makes good decisions, he doesn't lose it, he does something that allows us to go and attack and score and be creative. I say that to the defenders or the midfielders.
"I always believe that the talent wins you football matches, that's why great players become great players. Wayne Rooney was a superstar at Manchester United because he could do things that other people can't do.
"And here at Sunderland, Amad and Patrick Roberts do things that normal footballers don't do, so I want the team to work the ball to certain areas to give it to the players that can make a difference. We should be delighted that they are here and helping our team be successful."
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