Corry Evans is a key component in Sunderland's midfield according to Alex Neil, after the Northern Ireland international helped turn the tide against Shrewsbury Town. Evans does the unglamorous work in the middle of the park which can often go unnoticed, but Neil is in no doubt about the importance of the 31-year-old's contribution.
And Evans played a major part in the win against the Shrews, after the visitors had fought back from 2-0 down to level at the Stadium of Light, at which point Sunderland were on the ropes. But Evans stiffened up the midfield, allowing Sunderland to reassert the dominance they had shown in the first half and ultimately they won 3-2 thanks to Nathan Broadhead's injury-time header.
"It's difficult sometimes when you are watching the game you see the exciting players that win the ball and beat people, but what Corry does is snuffs out counter-attacks just by being in the right position," said Neil. "It doesn't break to them and then he needs to get across and stop it, he stops it by landing on the ball every time it drops out.
