Sunderland taken on Tottenham in their next Premier League game.
David Moyes’ poor start to the season continued on Monday night, losing 3-0 at home to his former club Everton.
Sitting in 19th place with just a point to their name, things aren’t likely to get any better for the Black Cats, who head to White Hart Lane on Sunday to take on Spurs.
Tottenham cruised past Stoke this weekend, beating them 4-0, and Sunderland will need to make amendments if they are to avoid being on the end of the same scoreline.
Here are five changes Moyes must make if they are to get anything from their clash with Tottenham.
Add leadership to the defence
Sunderland’s Lamine Kone in action with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku
Having sold Younes Kaboul to Watford, Sunderland have lost their leader at the back. The Frenchman had formed a strong partnership with Lamine Kone at the end of last season, and they needed his experience last night.
Papy Djilobodji and Kone had no chemistry against Everton, especially in the second half, which saw Romelu Lukaku bully the red and white defence and bag a hat-trick.
With John O’Shea back from injury, Moyes should consider bringing the Irishman back into the starting XI. The 35-year-old is a leader, and that is exactly what Sunderland are missing in defence.
Keep possession
Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj in action with Everton’s Gareth Barry
Far too often against the Toffees, Sunderland gave up possession cheaply.
There were numerous slack passes and countless long balls up to the lone striker Jermain Defoe, standing at a not so massive five foot seven inches.
Moyes’ side needs to be more comfortable in possession, keeping the ball for long spells and taking the sting out of the game. If they give possession away against Spurs like they did on Monday night, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will dominate proceedings from start to finish.
Long balls up to Defoe are just a waste of possession. The Black Cats need to be more clever with the ball and try and get Defoe in behind along the floor where he can use his movement and quick feet to get the better of the Spurs defence.
Leave Watmore on the bench
Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore in action with Everton’s Idrissa Gueye
Speaking of conceding possession, Duncan Watmore had a howler at the Stadium of Light on Monday.
The youngster lost possession 13 times during his 73 minutes on the pitch, and created zero chances.
Watmore was rightfully replaced, albeit arguably too late, and should not retain his place on Sunday. Sunderland need to use the ball better, and they can’t do that with Watmore on the pitch. The 22-year-old plays with his head down for too often and is hindering his side, rather than helping.
The winger would be better served coming off the bench, using his pace when the game is starting to stretch and there is space for him to gallop into.
Work better as a unit
Everton’s Ross Barkley in action with Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell
Sunderland did not play as a team against Everton. They looked like a disjointed side, and disjointed sides play disjointed football.
The gaps between the midfield and defence were startling at times in the second half, and it became way too easy for Everton to get behind the red and white back-line.
Sunderland need to play as a unit, meaning that every player has defensive responsibilities, not just the defenders. The wingers need to help their full backs, and the central midfielders need to play as a pair. The comparison of Jan Kirchhoff and Jack Rodwell was chalk and cheese, with the German anticipating danger while the Everton graduate chased shadows.
Show the passion the Sunderland fans deserve
Sunderland fans
From the people that turn up to the Stadium of Light, to the fans that support from afar, the red and white faithful are a passionate group.
While they do not demand much, having seen their side battle relegation for years, they at least expect their players to give 100% from the first minute to the last. That could not be said about some players last night, with Sunderland seemingly giving up once they fell behind, resulting in more gaps forming and Everton creating more chances.
Winning tackles, closing people down, making blocks and working hard should be a given for any football team. Had Sunderland been beaten 1-0 but given their all, fans would have no complaints.
The manner of the defeat was hard for Black Cats fans to take, and was reminiscent of losses they’ve suffered in years gone by, which can only spell danger for Sunderland.
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