da esoccer bet： Sunderland’s troubles continued on Boxing Day as they played out a 0-0 draw with Phil Parkinson’s former side Bolton, a team bottom of the table after scrambling a squad of misfits together in the last days of the summer.
da bet nacional： It seems that no matter what players take to the field in whatever formation this Black Cats team just doesn’t seem to be performing for Parkinson, who now has just two wins in 14 matches.
A switch to five-at-the-back seems to have righted one problem – the defence – but the goalless draw was a familiar tale of a side lacking creativity and invention in attack.
Lynden Gooch’s return to the side could have been the boost needed and although the American made two successful dribbles and one key pass, it wasn’t enough to rejuvenate a Sunderland team bereft of confidence and quality.
They are now on a winless run of nine games and the trip to Doncaster is further bad news as although Rovers have the same amount of points as Parkinson’s side, they are capable of producing brilliant performances, such as the surprise 3-0 win over Peterborough on Boxing Day.
With that in mind, a slight alteration in formation and two changes may be the trick Sunderland need to breathe fresh life into the team and find the right balance between attack and defence, lining up like this.
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The return of George Dobson after missing out through suspension should be a welcome return, as Grant Leadbitter failed to provide what was needed in the middle of the park with zero tackles and zero dribbles.
Sunderland’s back five has conceded twice times in three games, with Blackpool’s goal one they could do nothing about, and to move away from a tried and tested method would mean a step back.
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Instead, a change by bringing another striker into the mix is what is needed, and that means the heavily criticised Will Grigg should feature.
Parkinson has tried Grigg and Charlie Wyke as lone strikers since taking over, but their isolation has been the only consistent factor no matter who plays, and that’s why Sunderland have faltered in front of goal.
Pairing them together would allow them to play off each other and take up strong positions, providing extra bodies in the box to get on the end of crosses and pounce on loose balls.
Keeping Doncaster quiet must still be the priority but if the Black Cats can break away at speed through the likes of Gooch, then the duo of Wyke and Grigg may have their chance to score and win the away side some points.
In other news, Sunderland fans have been critical of Parkinson recently with some fearing that his actions in the transfer window may come as a detriment to the club.