Sunderland are in desperate need of a win after falling to their sixth consecutive defeat at Southampton on the weekend.
Mike Dodds‘ young side managed to get back on level terms on the South Coast, having gone two nil down in the first half, but hopes of picking up a point were slashed by Joe Rothwell’s brace in the closing stages of the six-goal thriller.
The defeat leaves the Black Cats in 12th, 11 points adrift of sixth-placed Norwich City, so it seems they’ll have to settle for another season in the Championship, with play-offs now practically unattainable.
Dodds has to find a way to return to winning ways, as his side prepare to host relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Ahead of the clash, the Sunderland boss has dropped a huge hint on his team selection.
Mike Dodds drops hint on Sunderland team selection v QPR
Dodds, speaking after the defeat at St Mary’s, noted that Adil Aouchiche, particularly, and Nazariy Rusyn were unlucky not to start but hinted that they may feature in the lineup against QPR this weekend.
“They were unlucky not to start, Adil definitely,” the 37-year-old said. “I thought Naz came on and his energy and enthusiasm added to what we were trying to do.
“Adil and Naz have forced their way forward in terms of next weekend, we’ve got to do our preparation and diligence for QPR but by coming on and playing as they did, they give themselves every chance.”
So it appears that Aouchiche, who has started just four league games this term, and Rusyn will be given the opportunity to impress from the start on Saturday.
Sunderland must return to winning ways v QPR
Remarkably, Sunderland are closer to the relegation zone than they are to the top six, which is a worrying position to be in.
Whilst relegation seems extremely unlikely and almost unthinkable, it is a possibility as they lie nine points ahead of Huddersfield Town, who occupy 22nd place.
Their run of six losses on the bounce simply can’t continue, as they don’t want to be drawn in any closer to the teams scrapping below them.
So Dodds must get his side back on track against QPR with a win, though, it won’t be easy as the visitors are one of the most in-form teams in the division.
Over the last 10 games, The Hoops have averaged just shy of two points per game under the stewardship of Marti Cifuentes, who joined the West London club in October.