Sunderland’s quest for a Premier League win takes them to the London Stadium against West Ham United.
Cut out the schoolboy errors
Sunderland’s Papy Djilobodji in action
Jermain Defoe said it himself during the week, Sunderland are making too many sloppy errors that are costing the team. At times they have been the makers of their downfall.
The Black Cats need to get back to basics and stop trying to over-complicate matters. The players need to know their limitations and understand when they should try and play neat football, and when they should not.
Their inability to defend has been Sunderland’s biggest problem and if they tighten up at the back then they should start to pick up points and climb up the table.
Bring Adnan Januzaj back
Crystal Palace’s Martin Kelly in action with Sunderland’s Adnan Januzaj
The Belgian attacker has been out of action with an ankle injury, but could be fit for the trip to the London Stadium.
While Adnan Januzaj has not had a great start to life on Wearside, he is one of their most creative players and could provide the spark Sunderland will need to get something from their trip to the capital.
Be it from the start or off the bench, the 21-year-old could be the one to unlock the West Ham defence.
Get Defoe more involved
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe
Against Stoke City, Defoe only touched the ball 16 times.
If Sunderland are going to start winning matches, then they need Defoe to be involved as heavily as possible. The 34-year-old is the Black Cats’ main and arguably only goal threat, and if he is isolated and out of the game, then Sunderland have not got a great chance of getting anything from the game against Slaven Bilic’s side.
Survive the first 30 minutes
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Sunderland were already a goal down in the first eight minutes against Stoke, and the game was already pretty much beyond them.
Moyes’ side need to stay in the game for as long as possible. The longer they keep the score level, the more frustrated the home fans will get and that could have an impact on the West Ham players.
3-5-2?
Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt celebrates scoring their first goal
Injuries stopped Moyes going with a 3-5-2 formation against Stoke, but with Lamine Kone and Jason Denayer potentially back in contention, then the Scottish manager has a chance to play with three at the back.
This formation will take the shackles of Patrick van Aanholt as left wing back, as he will have more licence to get forward and influence the play in areas where he is most dangerous.
Should Sunderland take the lead at the London Stadium, then the versatile 3-5-2 formation can easily become a 5-3-2 out as the Black Cats attempt to shut out the game.
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