Each week before every Sunderland game, you along with one or two representatives from Read Sunderland will decide who they would choose to grace the pitch for the Black Cats and why.
Think yours is better than any of ours? Tweet @ReadSunderland your XI in the days leading up to the next game and you might be the first to be picked to have your say on Read Sunderland.
Chris Sparks: (4-3-1-2) Pantilimon, Matthews, O’Shea, Kaboul, Jones, M’Vila, Cattermole, Larsson, Lens, Defoe, Graham.
I’ve gone for a few surprises in the line-up with two changes from last week’s abysmal display against Norwich. Advocaat must find a formation that suits the poor set of players at his disposal, and so far we have seen that neither 4-3-3 nor 4-4-2 has worked. I believe an unorthodox 4-3-1-2 formation will work out well for Sunderland, allowing both defensive and attacking players to play their own game. Jeremain Lens will have the freedom he needs behind the strikers, whilst Yann M’Vila, Seb Larsson and Lee Cattermole can act as a much-needed shield for the back four.
After the abject displays by Patrick Van Aanholt, it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if the Dutchman is dropped from the left back position. However, a scandalous lack of options for the position may mean that Billy Jones swaps flanks, giving Adam Matthews his first start in red and white. The defence will need to be on their best form to stop and in-form Swansea side, and for this reason I have recalled club captain John O’Shea. For what the Irishman lacks in footballing ability, he brings in composure and experience to a back four that has flopped thus far.
Further up the field I have given Danny Graham a chance, Steven Fletcher may have got himself a goal on the opening day of the season but he was poor last week. Graham last year showed fight and determination for the shirt, a trait Sunderland have been lacking so far this season. The former Swansea man will be keen to impress against his former employers too, and may just prove to be the man who can get the best out of Jermain Defoe by playing alongside him.
Ryan Groves: (3-5-2 or 5-3-2) Pantilimon, Coates, O’Shea, Kaboul, Matthews, Van Aanholt, Cattermole, M’Vila, Lens, Defoe, Fletcher.
Having conceded seven goals in the opening two fixtures against average opposition, I think it’s safe to say the defence is an issue for Sunderland. The current 4-3-3 formation does not suit the current squad and I think the switch to 5-3-2/3-5-2 could be effective providing the players adapt well to it. This would allow the full backs more attacking freedom whilst providing much-needed cover for the last line of defence. John O’Shea has to play this weekend in my opinion, to add some composure and experience to a struggling back line. The added central defender should ease the workload of the other two centre-backs, having to cover for the roaming full backs who offered nothing defensively in both games this season. The attacking freedom of the full backs is key, as Van Aanholt in particular, is clearly not a full back in the conventional sense and a wing back role would definitely suit him more. Leicester used this very formation to great effect to avoid relegation last season and it was a very important factor in their late season surge of form. The presence of two defensive midfielders is essential, allowing Jeremain Lens or perhaps even young Duncan Watmore a free role in attacking midfield to hopefully provide a creative spark. I don’t believe that using two attacking wingers has worked for Sunderland so far, or in the past for that matter. The lack of natural width renders the wingers static, therefore, no room for young Duncan Watmore out wide, though I do believe he has enough ambition to be useful wherever he is played.
Finally, playing two up front is pivotal to the success of this Sunderland team, judging by how ineffective both Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher are when deployed as lone strikers. The combination of Fletcher and Defoe will score goals, providing that the rest of the team that can actually provide adequate service, which is by no means a given. If Sunderland can even take a point from Swansea at the weekend, that has to be seen as progress considering the dismal start.
Alex Finch: (4-3-3) Pantilimon, Jones, O’Shea, Coates, Matthews, Cattermole, M’Vila, Rodwell, Lens, Defoe, Giaccherini.
A rejig at the back is a must based on the opening two games of the season. O’Shea and Coates created a promising partnership towards the back of last season with the stand out performance being the clean sheet at the Emirates. Reforming this pairing might also spring an attitude change in summer signing Younes Kaboul.Full backs Billy Jones and Adam Matthews get the nod for me with Patrick Van Aanholt making way. Labeling Aanholt’s body language and attitude in the opening games of the season as embarrassing would be an understatement. For that reason, Matthews deserves the chance to show what he can bring to the team.
The team need to reward the fans from the off this weekend and for this to be done large levels of concentration and stamina will be necessary on Saturday. Hence the addition of Emanuele Giaccherini to my side. When fit he sets a strong example to others with his incredible endeavour to succeed. Something the team so desperately need come three o’clock this Saturday.
