Doncaster Rovers v Sunderland - Adaptability is key for Joe Wright

The squad’s support for Movember has seen him grow a moustache which in his words makes him look like he has been drinking chocolate milk, but there has been a more important change, too, briefly pushed out to right-back to give his good friend Brad Halliday a bit of respite in a hectic fixture list.

It speaks volumes that 25-year-old Wright had no complaints about either, even if he will be pleased to be back alongside Tom Anderson for today’s League One visit of Sunderland and he jokes he might stay up until midnight on November 30 to remove his facial fur as soon as possible.

With Madger Gomes, Tyreece John-Jules, Jon Taylor and Rayhaan Tulloch building their fitness ahead of a slog of 11 matches in the final 40 days of this most unexpected year, Wright is not the first to be asked to adapt and will not be the last.

It even extended to centre-back Andy Butler taking the team for two matches whilst manager Darren Moore and coaches Jamie Smith and Paul Gerrard self-isolated after contact with a covid sufferer.

“It was unexpected,” says Wright of his spell at right-back. “Bar the (2019) play-off semi-final at Charlton for the last 15 minutes, it’s not a position I’ve played at all, even at youth level, but the gaffer said he thought I was more than capable of doing that. It was enjoyable but I do see myself as a centre-half. That’s where I’d like to play.

“Against Lincoln, the gaffer identified that to have me at right-back against their full-back would just give us that out-ball and I think it worked brilliantly.

“I was given a bit of stick from the lads, especially after the Wimbledon game, that my crossing was terrible so I was happy to get a couple in the box (against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s in Tuesday’s Football League Trophy match). It was only the third time I’ve played there – one full game, a half against Wimbledon and a half against Wolves – and I probably did better than I expected. I was happy to do a job, it’s not a problem.”

Halliday was a more reluctant restee, but his performance on his FA Cup return at FC United of Manchester suggested it was for the best. The stand-in Wright-back justified it, too.

“I was delighted, he knows it,” says Moore of the deputy’s displays.

“The players don’t just go out there and play, it’s brought to them in training. They know what they have to do in possession and out of possession, they will always know their job for the team but you’ve still got to perform it, and I thought he performed it exceptionally well.

“I said to the players it’s always good when you’ve got a preferred position but if you can have another position or two, it’s only going to stand you in good stead.

“It won’t be the last time you see it this season because the fixture list will determine that and it won’t just be that position. Already I’m looking at moving one or two because of the types of games coming up and the quick turnaround of matches.

“No player will tell you, ‘I need a rest, gaffer,’ you’ve got to take it on yourself. Brad had the most consecutive games of anyone at the club. He’s robust, tough, durable, but I said to Brad at the time coming out of the game would give him a chance to see it from the side and draw breath.

“Those decisions are taken by your eye but you also get with the medical and the sports science teams and look at data. Then somebody else has to be trusted to play in that position.”

Not that all the changes are by choice. QPR emergency loan signing Joe Lumley will make his debut because Stoke City have recalled England Under-21 international Josef Bursik from his loan due to their own injury problems.

When it comes to his moustache growing, Wright’s verdict is less complimentary.

“It’s terrible!” he admits. “I have to remind people I am doing this for a good cause, it’s not something I’d like to have on my top lip very often but it is all for a good cause and I’m more than happy to grow it for a month. But it’s awful mind.

“I’ve even had a bit of stick on Twitter over it, which I’m more than happy to have. As long as it’s raising money for a good cause, I’m more than happy to partake.”

It is a bit of fluff far removed from football, but it highlights Wright’s willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe

Link to use: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/subscriptions