It was a system they changed to in search of an equaliser against West Brom, and one that Moyes admits can get the best out of their goalscorer from Saturday.
So far this season it has been one big conundrum for David Moyes at the back. His Sunderland side just cannot help leaking goals; the latest coming on Saturday in a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
As a result, the Black Cats have been unable to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League so far this season. Sloppy mishaps have contributed to them only taking two points from their opening seven games, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.
One interesting comment to emerge from Moyes was about the side’s system, in particular when referring to the scorer of their equaliser on Saturday: Patrick Van Aanholt.
Moyes was quoted by the Chronicle, saying: “I think he’s probably a wing-back, he showed that (on Saturday). I’m pleased with the goals he’s come up with, I know that’s what he’s capable of but I’ve not been so pleased with some of the positions he’s been taking up defensive-wise.
“I’m not saying I will (play him at wing-back). I just felt that he needs to improve on his defending because we know what he brings going forward.”
But it does beg the question, why not play him at wing-back? Then there is also the change that came against West Brom to three at the back in search of a goal; if Moyes feels he can get a bit more out of the side going forward then why not go with that system on a more permanent basis?
It will not be just for the sake of getting more out of van Aanholt, as many other players in the squad could benefit when fit. Moyes signed several defenders during the summer, and given the centre-back pairing of Lamine Kone and Papy Djilobodji – which was broken up at the weekend with the return of John O’Shea – has looked a little suspect to say the least, the addition of another centre-back could provide a bit more assurance and make things a little more compact.
It is one area of the side where Sunderland are pretty well stocked and O’Shea could actually be the ideal point man at the back in such a set-up given his years of experience.
Moyes will be free to pick the kind of centre-midfield pairing he would like, or if he would like to get his more creative players such as Adnan Januzaj that bit more central and have more influence on the play if he has a holding midfielder behind him, or for someone like Duncan Watmore to float around in while supporting the attack, providing difficulty for the opposition in the process.
There is also the opportunity for Jermain Defoe to have a partner alongside him to relieve the scoring burden, with the wing-backs providing the width and some service.
If it is a more positive approach that can get the best out of a number of players, then this system is one that should be given serious thought.
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