Sunderland head into the Championship playoffs on the worst run out of the four teams that will be competing for a place in next season’s Premier League. The Black Cats have lost their last five games and have scored just once. If Regis Le Bris’s men are to at the very least book a place in the final at Wembley, their recent form must be forgotten and their head coach play a team that can cope with a two-legged semi-final against Frank Lampard’s Coventry City.
Despite Sunderland finishing a comfortable fourth place, due to recent form, the Sky Blues are now seen as favourites amongst many to claim a place in the final against either Sheffield United or Bristol City. Here is Sunderland’s starting eleven, fitness permitting, that we feel would give them the best chance in the playoff semi-final first leg away at Coventry City.
Read More: Roker Reflections, Five Things You May Not Have Known About Sunderland’s Roker Park
Opinion: What Sunderland’s Starting Eleven Should Be vs Coventry City
Change Luke O’Nien’s Position
Mr Flexibility and Mr Sunderland to give Luke O’Nien just two of the affectionate names given to him, is a player willing to play anywhere to help the team. Despite starting his career as a midfielder, O’Nien has since gone on to play in several other positions at Sunderland. Right-back, left-back and centre-back to name three. However, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to play him in a defensive midfield role away at Coventry.
Dan Ballard returned to the squad on the final day of the league season and could partner Chris Mepham in central defence. The extra height and physicality that Ballard brings could be vital against a tough Coventry side. This switch would also allow the Black Cats to switch formation during the game should they need to without relying on substitutions.
O’Nien would add tenaciousness to the midfield, protecting the defence and should it be required, can drop back into defence to make a back three or five.
Play Most Creative Player in the Middle
Sunderland’s loan signing from Roma Enzo Le Fee is without doubt their most creative player. An attacking midfielder with skill and vision, he has been asked to play out wide for much of his time on Wearside due to injuries. He has recently recovered from an injury himself and this game could be the ideal one to start him in his favoured central role. It’s a game that could rely on one piece of talent to create a goal and Le Fee has that talent.
Romain Mundle: Will he or Won’t He Feature?
Winger Romaine Mundle has been injured recently with Sunderland missing his direct style of play. In an interview prior to the last game of the season, head coach Regis Le Bris said that Mundle should be available for this game; however, he has now admitted that despite the 22-year-old being back in full training, it may be the second leg when he is able to feature. He said: “I think it will be a little bit soon for Romaine and also for Aji to be involved in the first leg. Most of the squad will be available. Romaine and Aji can hopefully be involved on Tuesday night.”
Could this be a way to keep Coventry guessing? Either way, an appearance off the bench is the most that can be expected at this stage.
Isidor, Mayenda or Both?
Out of the two strikers, Eliezer Mayenda is in better form than Wilson Isidor. The latter has struggled in front of goal and for form in recent weeks; however, he has shown multiple times this season that he is a threat running in behind defenders and can score out of nothing. Moving Enzo Le Fee into a central position would free up a place on the left wing, a position that both can play but is more suited to Mayenda’s work rate and his preferred way of playing of having the ball at his feet and dribbling at defenders at speed.
Opinion: Sunderland’s Starting Eleven vs Coventry City
GK Patterson
RB Hume
CB Mepham
CB Ballard
LB Cirkin
CM O’Nien
CM Bellingham
CAM Le Fee
RW Roberts
LW Mayenda
ST Isidor
SUBS: (fitness allowing) Moore, Neil, Browne, Mundle, Rigg, Hejlde, Watson, Jones, Alese
Read More: Greatest Footballers of All Time, Part One, Pre World War One
