Sunderland are bottom of the league Premier League, with just one point.
Having squandered a 2-0 lead against Crystal Palace, Sunderland sit bottom of the Premier League, waiting to entertain Tony Pulis’ West Brom on Saturday.
Everything seems to be going wrong right now if you’re a Black Cats fan, and things aren’t any easier if you’re David Moyes, who has only tasted victory as Sunderland manager in the EFL Cup.
The Scot’s next chance to get three points in the Premier League is at home to the Baggies this weekend, and here are five changes he needs to consider making if Sunderland are to pick up their first league win of the campaign.
1. Drop the zonal marking plan
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke scores their third goal
Had Sunderland not used zonal marking against Crystal Palace, they might not have conceded a last minute goal courtesy of Christian Benteke.
Due to Moyes’ tactics, the big Belgian had a free run to attack the ball, climbing higher than the Sunderland defenders and heading past a helpless Jordan Pickford.
Against West Brom, they face a side who know how to use set pieces well, with a high percentage of their goals coming from corners and free kicks. With powerful players like Salomon Rondon, Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson at their disposal, Sunderland simply cannot afford to give these players an advantage from set pieces, meaning they must mark man for man rather than occupying a certain zone in the box.
2. Bring back Khazri
Everton’s Phil Jagielka in action with Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri
Wahbi Khazri was one of Sunderland’s best players last season, arriving in the January transfer window, and his performances played a big role in keeping the club in the Premier League.
Under Moyes, the Tunisian has had limited opportunities, having to settle for action off the bench where he has failed to really make an impact.
With Adnan Januzaj now ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury, it presents the perfect chance to reintroduce Khazri to the starting XI. The winger will also offer more protection to his full back compared to Januzaj, who is less interested in the defensive side of the game.
3. Get closer to Defoe
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe gestures
Throughout his Sunderland career, Jermain Defoe seems to have been permanently isolated up front.
Too many times, the striker receives no support from his teammates and is expected to do the business on his own, and he isn’t going to be gifted chances every week like he was by Joe Ledley last time out.
Didier Ndong did his best to get up the pitch and help out Defoe, but his presence alone won’t be enough. Moyes either needs to get his side playing higher up the pitch or give Defoe a strike partner.
4. Experience at the back
Sunderland’s Paddy McNair and John O’Shea celebrate at the end of the match
Time and time again, Sunderland are making costly mistakes at the back, and the reason is they don’t have a leader at the back to organise things. They have a young goalkeeper in Pickford, two new signings, a left back who wants to attack more than defend and Lamine Kone who is lost without Younes Kaboul.
Moyes needs to turn to the experience of John O’Shea to tighten up his defence and ensure they don’t cost themselves any more points.
Sunderland have been the makers of their own misfortune this season, and that won’t change without a leader at the back.
5. Be smarter on the pitch
Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt looks dejected
Basic errors are costing Sunderland, and they are costing them dearly.
Benteke’s winner last time out was avoidable had Javi Manquillo not committed a ridiculous foul when Palace were going nowhere with the ball in the corner.
This naivety cost the Black Cats at the weekend, but it wasn’t the only mistake they made. Concentration is another problem, with players like Patrick Van Aanholt failing to sniff danger before it is on top of them and heading the ball into the Sunderland net (see James McArthur’s equaliser).
Sunderland need to smarten up and grind out points, rather than self-destructing and seeing such points slip from their grasp.
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