Mike Dodds needs to do something to get Sunderland off this wretched run of form, and this 21-year-old may be able to help.
Sunderland lost 1-0 v Leicester City in midweek, having now lost their last five games in all competitions.
The Black Cats are now one of just three teams in Europe’s top divisions to lose their last five games and the run now sees Sunderland closer to the drop zone than the top six.
Up next is a trip to Southampton.
Matters don’t get any easier for Sunderland with the Saints flying high in 4th and having had an extra couple of days rest after their midweek clash vs Preston North End was cancelled.
Sunderland coming up short in the final third
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Sunderland’s poor vein of form is their inability to score goals.
Without Jack Clarke, Sunderland have scored just one goal in three games, failing to score in their last two now.
Although they could certainly improve defensively, it feels like attack is where the issues lie.
Luis Hemir has started up front on his own in the last two games but has faced criticism for his poor form, with the 20-year-old hauled off early in both games.
But the Black Cats seemed to have a bit about them in the second half against Leicester City after Dodds made some changes, notably bringing Adil Aouchiche off the bench for just his fourth appearance of 2024.
Aouchiche is yet to start in 2024 and it’s been claimed that the Frenchman was ‘hung out to dry’ by former boss Beale following the defeat vs Ipswich Town in January.
But he may now be poised to return to the XI.
Adil Aouchiche can provide spark that Black Cats need
Aouchiche, described as a player with ‘immense quality’ by journalist James Copley, has now featured 20 times in the Championship for Sunderland, scoring once and assisting once.
It’s certainly been a mixed season for him and it’s been tough so far in 2024. But he showed coming off the bench against Leicester that he can provide and cause problems, and against the league’s best team too.
He’s got a good range of passing and is forward-thinking too, which when Hemir is so isolated in games could be the pivot needed to get Hemir firing as well.
Since Alex Pritchard left, and with Clarke and Patrick Roberts injured, Sunderland seem to be lacking someone who can link midfield and attack, especially in the central areas.
But Aouchiche can be that man.
Dodds might have to change shape to fit him in the system with Luke O’Nien suspended, it perhaps giving Dodds the perfect chance to revert back to a back-four, with Pierre Ekwah in front of the defence, and Aouchiche in the middle alongside Dan Neil in a midfield four.
It could give Sunderland the connections on the pitch they need to start scoring again, and for Aouchiche, it would be the perfect chance to prove any doubters wrong.
Kick off vs Southampton is at 3pm on Saturday.