LATEST UPDATE: Michael Beale discusses Sunderland’s attacking threat in Nazariy Rusyn

Nazariy Rusyn’s improvement at Sunderland has impressed Michael Beckett, who says the Ukrainian attacker is starting to dictate more and more of the Black Cats’ attacking approach.

Rusyn relocated from Zorya Luhansk to Wearside in the summer, and he struggled to get game time during the first part of the season as he adjusted to life in the Championship.

After scoring his first goal in a Sunderland shirt in the team’s victory over Preston on New Year’s Day, he went on to become Beale’s preferred offensive option, surpassing fellow summer additions Mason Burstow and Luis Hemir.

In the Tees-Wear derby against Middlesbrough, his second goal for the Black Cats helped his team to a point. Although he did not score in the 3-1 victory against Plymouth Argyle the previous weekend, he led the line well, linking play with his back to the goal and tying up the opposition defense.

Now that his family has moved to Wearside, he seems to be much happier there. Although he may not be a consistent goal threat for the rest of the season, he is growing in importance as a leader of the press and as the man who sets the tone for Sunderland’s play in the final third.

“I believe we’re witnessing the player that the team purchased in the summer,” Beale said. On Wednesday night, his team will play Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium. Every game, I believe we’re witnessing it more and more.
We all know that the striker’s primary purpose is to score goals, but he also contributes significantly to the team’s work ethic. He definitely contributes to our desire to be an aggressive squad that presses the opposition.

Rusyn has profited from playing for the Under-21s recently; he scored twice in a victory over Leeds United at the end of January, and he now seems much more assured as he is given more playing time with the main squad.

Tony Mowbray was prepared to play without a designated number nine, but Beale is far less inclined to force a midfielder to play in the central offensive role, and Rusyn appears to be gaining an advantage from his consistent starts.

He is beginning to form bonds with others around him, and now that they are at least partially responsible for providing a supply line for Sunderland’s central striker, players like Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke may need to reconsider how they approach attack.

Beale continued, “I think you’ll see our midfield picking his runs as he (Rusyn) plays more and more.” “I believe that he moves really well, considering that we haven’t used a striker this season.

Is his movement always visible, though? Can we anticipate things more quickly? We are addressing that. Naturally, you want to snap your fingers and have everything function instantly, but so far, so good.