Sunderland take on Swansea at the Stadium of Light this weekend, in what will be their third consecutive Saturday 3-pm kick off. After a truly dismal start to the season, here are five (yes just five) things to look out for when Gary Monk’s men come to town.
Jermain Defoe – Are you ready for the fight?
Post match reaction last weekend was coupled with the rumour that Defoe wanted to leave the club covering the Sunday morning back pages. He took to social media to quash such rumours. That said he has been a shadow of player from his prolific Tottenham and Portsmouth days from which he was rewarded with over fifty caps for his country. It may be worthwhile keeping an extra eye on Defoe and his body language on Saturday as it could speak volumes on whether the final week of the transfer market will be a busy one for him.
Four at the back, please?
A lack of positional sense from Van Aanholt against Norwich saw the back four look increasingly stretched. The defense even took as a back two at times on Saturday when the full backs pushed forward without good reason to. With Norwich’s strong wing play this proved detrimental.
Whether it is a change of personnel against Swansea, or a serious change in attitude and instructions issued to the players. Forming a solid back four is key if this team is to stand any chance of reaching double figures this campaign.
Where’s your head at?
The general attitude of the home side against Norwich was baffling. What has happened to the side that produced those fighting performances against Newcastle and Arsenal? Only two new signings started on the opening day at Leicester yet that resolute core has come spineless.
When Swansea come to town on Saturday. With their potency in attack made clear based on their opening performances against Newcastle and Chelsea. The least the fans will ask is for their side to produce a gutsy performance and attitude to match. With all the negativity surrounding the club with outspoken ex-players, sponsors and shortcoming in the market. This would be the perfect time to go out and deliver.
Lack of ideas
The only positive gained from the opening day against Leicester was Sunderland’s ability going forward. Frustratingly this did not transfer into the Norwich game. This is a worry because in the past the club has looked bereft of ideas come the latter stages of the season, not two games in. I can’t recall John Ruddy having a save to make in the match on Saturday as all the offensive play was played in front of Norwich’s back four.
Perhaps Adam Johnson’s willingness to create at Leicester was missing but still this is something you’d expect from summer signing Jeremain Lens, a full international for Holland. Things need to change this weekend as they bid to break down a stern Swansea defense.
Van Aanholt turning up…
Fans were left labeling Patrick Van Aanholt’s performance at the weekend one of the worst seen. Whilst others say, since joining from Chelsea last summer, these performances have been a continuing theme albeit on a less noticeable scale. Nevertheless, we have seen in the past Dick Advocaat is not too rash with his team selection and Aanholt may well start at the weekend. We can only hope the coaching staff have had a word with his positional sense and mindset matching that of a left winger not left back.
It was at times last season when Jones and Reveillere featured that Sunderland was most solid. Whilst a change in personnel for Saturday’s game does seem necessary, there is a good chance the back four may stay unchanged.
