This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Sunderland need to improve in several areas but their recent defensive sloppiness has been key to them dropping points and therefore Phil Parkinson must address the issue right away.
On the chalkboard
Jack Ross grew more and more unpopular towards the end of his reign but one characteristic of his Sunderland side was that they were difficult to beat, and indeed he lost just 11 of the 76 matches he was in charge of.
That is what the Black Cats need to go back to. They now lack discipline all over the pitch and a weak mentality has led to them crumbling to defeat too easily, often failing to produce anything of note after falling behind.
However, Parkinson has attempted personnel changes and slight alterations in style and yet things seem to be getting worse rather than better, and that means a more significant change needs to be made.
As well as trying to encourage and motivate his players on and off the training pitch, Parkinson has to consider a new approach to get the best out of the players at his disposal, with familiar figures like Will Grigg and Max Power continuing to underperform.
Change in formation
So far under Parkinson Sunderland have usually set out in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and though that has been mixed up slightly he is still yet to venture away from a four-at-the-back system.
That could be why performances and results have dropped, but a 5-2-3 could be the best solution for the players currently in the squad.
Sunderland have struggled to find the net with 13 scored in 11 matches under Parkinson but it doesn’t necessarily mean a more negative outlook, though having three centre-backs on the pitch will be key to keeping goals out, and if they get the basics right that would be a start.
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Right now the team just needs to grind out wins and go on an unbeaten run to build confidence, but that is unlikely to happen in the current formation as the defence often gets exposed as a result of the full-backs bombing forward.
Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume acting as wing-backs could benefit both players as well as the team. O’Nien has three goals this season and the fact he has operated at right-midfield and right-back shows his understanding of how to balance defence with attack.
Hume too has achieved an average of 1.9 successful dribbles per game this term which highlights his effectiveness in attack, while extra cover at the back means it is less worrying if he is caught out of position.
Greater freedom for Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire up-front should also enable them to show their best qualities, while also allowing the midfield duo to provide protection and get forward when needed.
In other Sunderland news, bringing in a Director of Football is another step the club need to make, as it could reap multiple benefits.
