This position was a bit of a stumbling block, Sunderland have had loan signings who were natural right wingers, or right midfielders but no one who stood out. While although technically Welbeck didnt start out on the right for the Black Cats, he did play most of his football in wide role. Indeed, hed filled in for Manchester United at a birth on the right hand side. Then again, he could be deployed as a third forward Yet another manager with strong Manchester United connections, Steve Bruce having already signed Frazier Campbell the season before plumped to snap up Welbeck on loan too. This was the brief period when Sunderlands attacking options were as strong as they would get, this side of the new century, boasting three strikers who would within twelve months receive England call-ups. Of course, after his spell at Sunderland it would be Welbeck who would remain in the England reckoning up to the present day. Yet again, the managers reasoning at signing the youngster on loan would leave a few fans wondering about the wisdom. Though again, the loanee would soon silence the doubters. In fact, his goal scoring record even when playing from a wide position was reasonable. On a winters day at Stamford Bridge, Welbecks true potential really began to hit home. The leggy and athletic forward, combining with Gyan, the pair looked like the clubs best strike combination leaving injured Darren Bent out in the cold. Indeed, if Welbeck had avoided injury, coinciding with Bents departure, Sunderland could have maintained their early season promise and pushed for a place in Europe. It wasnt to be as form fell away, leaving the side with a couple of vital games to banish relegation fears.
