Sunderland’s Championship promotion push continues this weekend as they take on Cardiff City.
An important win at Sheffield Wednesday for Sunderland has the Black Cats well in the play-off mix.
While a top two spot may be out of reach given that Leeds United and Sheffield United are cruising, a top six spot is far more realistic.
Regis Le Bris has had to overcome plenty of obstacles, however, losing key players in Enzo Le Fee and Jayden Danns as part of a triple injury blow.
One of the biggest successes from the win at Hillsborough last weekend was Eliezer Mayenda as he replaced in-form man Wilson Isidor and repaid the faith, scoring both goals.
Mayenda’s first goal was a controversial one to say the least but having impressed and now worthy of another start, former Sunderland defender Danny Collins believes it could inspire Le Bris to make the perfect tactical switch.
Danny Collins suggests formation change for Sunderland vs Cardiff
Saturday’s fixture at the Stadium of Light will no doubt see Sunderland labelled the favourites against the relegation-threatened Cardiff.
The visitors are likely to sit back and soak up on the counter attack, so attacking reinforcements will be needed from a Sunderland perspective.
Additionally, the form of certain players means Collins thinks that the Black Cats boss should revert to a conventional 4-4-2 formation to enable Mayenda and Isidor to start.
Collins told Total Sport – North East: “He always has moments in the game, Mayenda. Whether it’s 10 or 15 minutes off the bench, like Burnley, or if he starts the game, like he did on Friday night (vs Sheffield Wednesday).
“I would personally look at a 4-4-2 and play the two of them (Mayenda and Wilson Isidor) up top against Cardiff this weekend.”
“Why not go with it? Go with a two-man midfield, maybe Jobe [Bellingham] and Dan Neil. [Romaine] Mundle on the wing, maybe stick with Patrick [Roberts] on the right. Go with those two and you’ve got pace at the top end of the pitch. That’s a nightmare for any centre-back pairing in the league.”
“What don’t you like as a centre-back or a full-back? It’s the ball constantly getting dropped in behind you, running back towards your own goal with a flier on your shoulder.”
Sunderland are unbeaten using a 4-4-2 formation this season
4-4-2 is a dying art in football these days. Long gone are the tactics of the big man, little man combo, with many favouring just one striker up top.
It’s not a formation that has been used often by Le Bris, but Sunderland can be encouraged from the previous times they have deployed it.
| Games where Sunderland have used a 4-4-2 formation |
| Derby County 0-1 Sunderland |
| Burnley 0-0 Sunderland |
| Sunderland 2-2 Coventry City |
So far, the Wearsiders have used it three times and remain unbeaten, beating Derby County and drawing with promotion rivals Burnley and high-flyers Coventry City.
They have also conceded less than a goal a game from those three fixtures, as well as averaging a goal a game themselves.
With results the most important thing at this stage of the season, reverting to this style could be the difference between a big result or frustration come 5:00 p.m. Saturday.