Simon Grayson has so far opted for a cautious approach. That must end now as Sunderland search for a winning formula.
Callum McManaman, Aiden McGeady and Duncan Watmore are undoubtedly the three most exciting players in the Sunderland squad.
While Simon Grayson cannot call on a proven striker or a true creative midfielder, he has a wealth of wide options at his disposal, options other Championship clubs would love to have.
The Black Cats have only just welcomed Watmore back into the fold – last time out at Preston North End – but both McManaman and McGeady have featured throughout the club’s current nine-game winless run in the league.
And yet neither player has been hugely criticised by fans, with both men impressing despite the chaos around them – and in sparing appearances.
McGeady has suffered with fitness concerns, but Grayson has bizarrely selected McManaman from the start on only three occasions.
The pair of summer signings have started together just once, in a 5-2 defeat where they were far from to blame for the outcome; McGeady scored a stunning goal.
With three home games from their next four, and Watmore back fit, Grayson simply must abandon a cautious approach that has seen him so far resist the temptation to pick his most thrilling stars.
Whatever tactics the manager has employed so far have blatantly not worked.
Using the Stadium of Light crowd to their advantage and attacking visiting sides with pace and tricker on the wings could, surely, only represent an improvement.
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