CHANGES GIVE
NO GETTING CARRIED AWAY, BUT SUNDERLAND BOSS’S SLIGHT SWITCH OF FORMATION PAYS DIVIDENDS WITH IMPR
downs but a touch more experience, in the mould of John O’Shea and Lee Cattermole, who were outstanding against Hull, can help Sunderland produce performances of this discipline more regularly. It remains a crucial window. And yet. There is no mistaking the spike in Sunderland’s attacking output in this game after two demoralising defeats in which Coleman’ssidehadbarelylaid a glove on their opponents. A ragged Hull City are not in Middlesbrough or Cardiff ’s class currently, but it was refreshing to see the Black Cats get at the visitors’ back four with genuine flair and pace.
There were two crucial changes that underpinned this impressive display.
First, and both Cattermole and Coleman were keen to underline this point after the game, Sunderland did the basics well and grafted their way through difficult phases .
They made countless interceptionsandclearances, were competitive and outran their opponents, particularly in a first half that both surprised and overjoyed the home faithful.
There have not been many occasions in recent times when it has been Sunderland who looked visibly hungrier for the result than their opponents. It was truly refresing to watch.
As pleasing as the technical quality of the young players in the side was their willingness to compete and the way they stood up to the physical challenge.
Ethan Robson set the tone, tidy in possession but often getting the better of experienced former Sunderland man David Meyler in the challenge.
Truly, there have been few more composed and impressive full home debuts than his at the Stadium of Light, either from academy graduates or multi-million pound signings.
Secondly, a slight alteration to the system from the manager also helped bring the best of the side and gave it much a better balance.
3-4-3 became 3-5-2, with Maja and Asoro given the licence to be direct and attack central areas.
George Honeyman – whose energy and personality Coleman said, after the game, Sunderland ‘always need’ – moved infield and offered real drive on the ball.
Where in recent weeks the Black Cats have been lacklustre in attack, here they were purposeful and having players in key areas who could carry the ball at pace made all the difference.
Maja, with so little to work with in recent weeks, constantly had bodies in support and it stretched Hull time and time again.
It is worth dwelling on that 20th-minute matchwinning goal for just a moment more.
A superb challenge from Cattermole, a divine onetwo between Honeyman and Maja, the former perfectly teeing up Asoro, whose finish was emphatic past keeper Allan McGregor. All this inside a minute.
A breathtaking counterattacking goal, full of heart and vision.
It was only a small step in terms of the table, but, for many watching on, it felt something bigger. Whisper it quietly, but this was a fun afternoon at the Stadium of Light.