Sunderland lost again, leaving them second bottom of the Premier League.
Despite a less catastrophic performance, David Moyes’ side were the losers yet again as they were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham.
Harry Kane’s goal separated the two teams, which came from an error by Papy Djilobodji. Things got more miserable for Sunderland when Adnan Januzaj was sent off for two bookings.
With Moyes still searching for a win, here are five things we learned from Sunderland’s defeat.
Moyes needs to find a balanced XI
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Sunderland’s attacks were limited at White Hart Lane, and a negative team struggled to put Spurs under much pressure.
Moyes is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. If the Scot were to go with multiple attackers, his side could be on the end of a battering, but go with a defensive minded team and they have very little chance of winning.
Sunderland’s midfield three consisted of Jan Kirchhoff, Lee Cattermole and Didier Ndong. The former two are very defensive players, while Ndong is still an unknown quantity in red and white.
Moyes needs to find a balance of attack and defence, otherwise he won’t be overseeing many victories for the Black Cats.
O’Shea’s experience is required
Sunderland’s John O’Shea
Sunderland lack leadership at the back since Younes Kaboul departed, and the only man they can call on is John O’Shea.
Papy Djilobodji does not look up to the task at the back for the Black Cats, costing his side yet again, having performed poorly against Everton as well.
O’Shea is a veteran defender and brings the best out of the players around him, whereas Djilobodji is causing more harm than good.
Snatch and grab is all Sunderland have
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe looks dejected
Sunderland attacked in small bursts.
At no point did they dominate proceedings, playing off of Spurs’ mistakes and trying to break when they could. Defoe had just one chance, which came from a long kick from keeper Jordan Pickford.
The Wearsiders need to find a way of being a much more proficient attacking unit, rather than just relying on limited counter attacking opportunities and trying to play off their opposition’s mistakes.
Jordan Pickford is Sunderland’s new number one
Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford saves from Tottenham’s Erik Lamela
Sunderland’s man of the match was Pickford.
The young goalkeeper was in breathtaking form, making countless saves to try and keep Spurs at bay. Had it not been for Djilobodji’s error, Pickford would have won his first ever Premier League clean sheet, which he richly deserved.
The injury to Vito Mannone has given Pickford a chance to claim the number one jersey, and it looks as though he is going to grab the chance with both hands.
Transfer business could cost the Black Cats
Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen in action with Sunderland’s Papy Djilobodji
Many questions were raised about Sunderland’s transfer business.
To begin with, they weren’t spending at all, and now it looks as if they have just spent badly.
With the exception of Ndong, who has had limited game-time, Sunderland’s summer signings have pretty much flopped. The previously mentioned Djilobodji has been catastrophic, Januzaj has frustrated on every appearance and showed his immaturity today, while the need for another attacker is apparent for all to see.
Sunderland’s transfer activity in January kept them up last season, and it already looks as though they are going to need another big winter transfer window to survive once again.
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