Dajaku's key role in Cats’ system which helped secure comfortable win
In recent weeks, Lee Johnson has found solutions to Sunderland’s lack of available full-backs.
Those methods have included changing systems to play with unorthodox wingbacks, while also using a lopsided formation requiring centre-backs to move across and fill the vacant space out wide.
During his side’s 3-0 win at Doncaster,Johnsontookasimilarapproach,yetSunderland’s
shape looked far more like a conventional 4-2-3-1 system compared to previous weeks.
That was largely down to the role played by Leon Dajaku who returned to the starting XI after missing the Carabao Cup game at Arsenal through injury.
Dajaku didn’t take much time to get back up to speed as the 20-year-old winger dribbled into the box from the right flank, skipped past one Rovers player and drew a foul in the penalty area from fullback Branden Horton.
That set the tone for the firsthalfasSunderlandpinned their hosts back – though it must be said Doncaster’s passive approach helped.
A look at Dajaku’s heatmap shows he was constantly on the attack and didn’t have to give his defensive duties much thought, with Bailey Wright moving across to right-back and providing cover.
That was slightly different on the opposite wing where Lynden Gooch was making forays forward from left-back, allowing Elliot Embleton to move infield and link up with Alex Pritchard.
There were occasions when Dajaku and Gooch did look more like wing-backs as Wrighttuckedintoformaback three,yetthoseoccasionswere few and far between due to Doncaster’s lack of threat and change of shape to also play with a back four.
As for Dajaku, his return clearly gave Sunderland another dimension against a struggling opponent, with the winger’s ability to run with the ball at speed and take opponents on proving key.
Against Doncaster, Dajaku may have only been successful with three of his seven attempted dribbles (according to WyScout), yet the areas he was receiving the ball forced the hosts to retreat.
While Sunderland have changed systems in recent weeks, Johnson would preferably like to operate with a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation.
While he would have to be moredefensivelyawareagainst better opponents, that would certainly appeal to a winger like Dajaku.