Sunderland fans will love what Chris Rigg said after win vs Nottingham Forest
Regis Le Bris guided his Sunderland side to another impressive Premier League victory with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Sunderland are now up to fifth in the Premier League after the Black Cats recorded their first three points away from the Stadium of Light this season.
Le Bris has been crucial to Sunderland’s start, as fans are already starting to look past a relegation scrap.
Sunderland’s game wasn’t short of controversy, with Omar Alderete taking advantage of a contentious decision, some believe, to score the winner.
Habib Diarra’s injury update has presented a golden opportunity to teenage sensation Chris Rigg, and the midfielder has reacted after Sunderland’s big win.
Chris Rigg says, ‘You can’t play for Sunderland if you don’t run’
Le Bris had to re-shuffle his team for Forest, as Sunderland lost Reinildo Mandava to suspension, but Rigg kept his place after his unfortunate early substitution against Aston Villa.
Rigg was deployed in the number 10 role against Forest and was substituted while Sunderland were winning the game.
Speaking to Phil Smith for the Sunderland Echo, Rigg commented on what it takes to play for a club of Sunderland’s size.
“Obviously, a lot of new players have come in, but the morals stay the same around the dressing room.
“You don’t play for Sunderland if you don’t want to run, so I think that was a great performance to show that.
- Rigg played 59 minutes
- He made five defensive contributions
- The 18-year-old didn’t stop running
“I think this is the toughest league in the world. The intensity is crazy, and I think you can see the numbers, the running and stuff, it’s only getting higher and higher.”
Despite still being so young, Rigg still has a vital role to play for Sunderland this season.
Chris Rigg doesn’t need to score or assist goals to be important for Sunderland
Rigg enjoyed playing an abundance of games in the Championship last season, helping the Mackems get back to the top flight through the play-offs.
In 45 games in midfield, he only racked up five goal contributions, but is still loved on Tyne and Wear for other elements he brings to the team.
Rigg is tenacious and is always looking to press and win the ball back for his team, sometimes doing the job of two players.
His running allows players around him to thrive and for Sunderland to stay a threat on the counter, as he can now kick on and gain more Premier League experience.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Sunderland news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@mackemnews247