Two wins in six games, including a home defeat to rivals Newcastle United in the FA Cup has put new Sunderland head coach Michael Beale under pressure early in his tenure. However, one change to his team could help them get back to winning ways.
The Change That Could Get Sunderland Back to Winning Ways
Youngsters Struggling and Need Help
Dan Neil, Pierre Ekwah and Jobe Bellingham have been consistently asked to run the Black Cats midfield this season. With no experienced defensive midfielders to call upon, both Neil and Ekwah, both 22, have been tasked with protecting their defence. 17-year-old Jobe Bellingham has played almost every game this season either in midfield or as a striker and is at risk of fatigue due to his age and limited first-team football before moving to Sunderland.
It has been a big ask of these youngsters to carry Sunderland’s midfield in a league as demanding and physical as the Championship. Despite performing well for the majority of the season, recent performances have suggested they need a break or at least some experienced help.
Move Luke O’Nien to CDM Could Get Sunderland Back to Winning Ways
With no incomings expected before the next league game, one switch that could help would be for Michael Beale to move captain Luke O’Nien to a central defensive midfield position. Despite primarily playing as a central defender or a fullback during his time at Sunderland, the former Wycombe Wanderers man was bought as a midfielder.
A tireless worker and tenacious in the tackle, O’Nien should be able to adapt easily to a role just in front of the central defenders with Dutchman Jensen Seelt replacing him at the back. Seelt’s height could also prove useful as the Black Cats have struggled at times due to a lack of physicality when defending.
The change would give the option for Dan Neil and/or Pierre Ekwah to play a more advanced role to help a team that has been too reliant on winger Jack Clarke to score and create goals.
Gives the Option to Switch to a Back Three in Game if Required
Michael Beale has talked recently about the possibility of playing three central defenders. Speaking in his press conference ahead of the home game against Hull City, he said: “I look at some of the players we have in training like Jenson and Nectar, they are training ever so well, so we do have an option of a back three.”
Moving O’Nien to a defensive midfield role would give Beale the option to switch to a back three mid-game if required by moving his captain back into defence.
