Games against rivals a positive & where to play versatile O’Nien?
It has been a hectic month for Sunderland and their first midweek without a fixture for some time has given everyone a welcome chance to take a breath.
With that in mind, Phil Smith has been taking questions from supporters on all thingsSunderlandAFCandthe Kyril Louis-Dreyfus era so far.
Youcanreadallhisresponses below…
This season, Sunderland seemed to struggle against some of the teams nearthebottomoftheleague and done reasonably well against those near the top. Asthevastmajorityofourremainingmatchesareagainst our promotion rivals, can this be viewed as a positive?
It’s a really good point and definitelyoneofthemostinterestingdynamicsofthisrun-in.
On paper, Sunderland and Peterborough have the toughest fixtures in the top ten (the averagepoints-per-gameofthe teams they have left to play is 1.5).
The positive for the Black Catsisthattheirrecordinthese games this season is good.
From 13 games against the teams currently in the top ten, they’vetaken26pointsatanaverage of 2-per-game.
So while the fixture list is challenging, you would hope there is a lot of positivity and optimism in the group.
Credit is also due to Lee Johnson as that poor record against teams at the bottom is starting to improve considerably.
I think that owes much to the way he has improved the attacking threat of the team.
It’s all to play for and Sunderland are right in the mix.
Do you see Luke O’Nien moving back into midfield when Bailey Wright is back fit or will Lee Johnson continue with a successful centre back partnership?
I've always felt Luke's position in the end should be in
midfield. I always remember JackRosspointingoutafterhis first goal away at Shrewsbury that Luke is actually one of the best finishers at the club.
So when Lee Johnson arrived and put a big focus on a high-pressing style, it seemed liketheperfecttimetogetLuke higher up the pitch.
On the one occasion a lack of injuries meant that was actually possible, I thought he played a solid part in a terrific 3-1winoverDoncasterRovers.
He has been so good at centre-half, though, that I'm honestly not sure I'd want to move him at the moment.
I know there was an error against Lincoln City but to be honest, I think that actually just underlines how good and how consistent he has been over the last ten games.
Most importantly, his anticipation and composure is excellent and I think playing him at centre-half has brought a new dimension to the team.
His ability to step out and breakthepressbycarryingthe ball into midfield has been excellent, and helps Sunderland keep the ball.
I think Sunderland look as strong as they ever have done in League One at the moment and the Sanderson-O'Nien partnershipisrightattheheart of that.
Bailey Wright has been a terrific player for Sunderland since he arrived and once fit, you do think he'll come back into the team with some highpressuregamesonthehorizon.
I don't think it's a given though and with Carl Winchester now impressing, I'm very comfortable with O'Nien at centre-half.