Sunderland will look to avoid a sixth-straight defeat when they head to Southampton this weekend.
Sunderland and Mike Dodds could make history on Saturday, though it’s not a record that the Black Cats’ interim boss will want to boast.
Defeat against Southampton at St Mary’s this weekend would hand Sunderland a sixth-straight defeat; and it’d be the first time they’ve lost six consecutive matches since the 2005/06 season.
Something has to change for Dodds.
He’s so far lost three out of three since Sunderland sacked Michael Beale last month, though with Jack Clarke injured, it’s proving difficult to get this Sunderland side firing.
Here we look at three changes Dodds should make to his Sunderland XI for Southampton…
Adil Aouchiche in for suspended Luke O’Nien
Luke O’Nien is suspended for Southampton, and it could be the perfect excuse for Dodds to revert from a back-five, and two a more familiar 4-2-3-1 shape.
That would mean an extra midfielder coming in and after his impressive cameo vs Leicester City, Adil Aouchiche may be pushing for a start; it’d be his first of 2024.
Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah could pair in front of the defence and have Aouchiche behind a lone striker, hopefully bridging what has been a very big gap between the striker and midfielders in recent fixtures.
Nazariy Rusyn in for Jobe Bellingham
Jobe Bellingham has been an interesting talking point among Sunderland fans this season.
He’s certainly played a lot of football, featuring in all but one of Sunderland’s 36 Championship games so far and starting most of them.
But at times he’s looked leggy. He remains a player with quality and he could yet be more of an impact player later on in games.
Should Aouchiche start behind a striker against Southampton, Dodds could well bring Nazariy Rusyn in on the flank.
The Ukrainian is arguably better-suited to being a wide forward than a central one and having started the last two on the bench, he could be fresh to cause Southampton some problems this weekend.
Mason Burstow next up in Sunderland striker saga
Dodds is clearly a fan of Luis Hemir; often speaking fondly of the 20-year-old and starting him for the last two outings.
But there’s clearly work to be done where Hemir is regarded. He doesn’t look ready for Championship football just yet, at least not starting games, and although he’s only on loan, Mason Burstow could be a better option to lead the line.
The Chelsea forward has had very little impact this season with one goal and one assist to his name so far. But being more experienced and arguably more first team-ready, he could provide better link up play than Hemir, hopefully contributing to an overall more dangerous Sunderland.