Jack Ross has made a solid start to his second full season in charge of Sunderland, with his side unbeaten and currently sitting fourth in League One with 11 points from five games.

After coming so close last season, the pressure is undoubtedly on the Black Cats to achieve promotion and return to the Championship in the 2019/20 campaign.

Their 3-1 win against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday kept them heading in the right direction and ensured they remained equal on points with top-of-the-league Ipswich Town.

It also ensured that they continued a start the season in which they have kept no clean sheets – not a particularly good claim to be able to make six games in.

The signing of Joel Lynch, a centre-back who has joined on a free transfer after seeing his contract expire at QPR, could help rectify that and sure up Ross’ backline.

The 31-year-old has more than 200 Championship appearances to his name and appeared 35 times for the London club in the English second flight last season.

Sunderland came into the season among the frontrunners for promotion, so it is understandable that Ross may be tempted to make some changes to his defence with the side having won only three in five in the league and conceded in every game.

If one of those changes is going to be to bring Lynch it at centre-back, then it should not be to replace fellow summer Jordan Willis.

The athletic defender joined as a free agent after leaving Coventry City this summer and has been a mainstay in the Black Cats defence so far, featuring in every single game.

The 25-year-old has made a strong start to life at the Stadium of Light and is someone that could become a club stalwart moving forward, as long as Ross keeps the faith.

His statistics indicate he is a solid defender who is confident on the ball and useful in the air. According to Wyscout, Willis averages 5.51 interceptions per game and 3.78 clearances, has a defensive duel success rate of 75.9%, an aerial duel success rate of 66.7%, and a pass accuracy of 77.7%.

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Willis has proven he can thrive at this level, with nearly 150 League One appearances to his name, and was an integral part of a Coventry City side who just missed out on the play-offs last season.

The former England under-19 international has been a success so far but if he is given the backing of his manager I don’t see why this could not just be the start.

At 25, Willis has got a lot of football ahead of him and as long as he continues to get regular first-team football should improve over the next few years. Having served as Coventry captain in the past he has leadership qualities and arrived highly recommended by Sky Blues coach Mark Robins, who described him as “brilliant”, “a great kid” and a “really good lad”.

A strong defender, with a good attitude and leadership qualities, Willis appears to have all the qualities Sunderland would likely be looking for in a long-term servant.

The addition of Lynch to the squad looks a smart decision but I think it might be an even smarter one to ensure his arrival does not block the development of Willis.