Neil's favoured Black Cats XI based on minutes played
Sunderland’s goalless draw at Plymouth marked Alex Neil’s 12th game in charge of the Black Cats.
After taking charge of the side before February’s trip to AFCWimbledon,theScothas overseen six wins, five draws and one defeat as his side aim to finish in the League One play-off places.
While he has been forced to deal with injury setbacks, Neil has managed to name a pretty settled side in recent weeks while deploying a back three and wing-backs.
That has helped the team improve defensively, keeping six clean sheets in the 12 fixtures.
Here’s how many minutes each Sunderland played has played under Neil:
GK: Anthony Patterson Minutes played: 1179
The stopper has started every match since Neil took charge.
RCB: Carl Winchester Minutes played: 1144
Has been a regular starter on the right of a back three after starting Neil's first match in midfield.
CB: Bailey Wright - Minutes played: 1179
Another player who has played every minute of every game under Neil.
LCB: Dennis Cirkin - Minutes played: 1179
A player who appeared to be struggling when Neil arrived but has rediscovered his form and performed well on the left of a back three.
RWB:LyndenGooch-Minutes played: 687
The wideman was injured when Neil arrived at the club but has started seven of the last 10 matches.
CM: Corry Evans - Minutes played: 945
Neil has spoken about his captain’s importance and balancethathebringstotheside.
CM: Jay Matete - Minutes played: 956
The 21-year-old started Neil’s first seven games in charge of Sunderland and looks like a real prospect.
LWB:JackClarke-Minutes played: 835
Neil has predominantly used the Tottenham loanee in a left wing-back role after switching to a back three.
CAM: Luke O’Nien - Minutes played: 483
After O’Nien returned from his injury setback Neil opted to use him as an attackingmidfielder.The27-year-old has also been deployed as a wing-back in recent matches.
CAM:AlexPritchard-Minutes Played: 520
After working with the playmaker at Norwich, Neil is clearly a big fan of the playmaker. Injuries have meant that Pritchard has missed six of the last 12 matches though.
ST: Ross Stewart - Minutes played: 1155
The striker was substitutedintheclosingstagesofNeil’s first game at AFC Wimbledon but has played every minute since.
Elliot Embleton - Minutes played: 467
Has started the side’s last two games after scoring the winner at Oxford.
Patrick Roberts - Minutes played: 443
After starting against Lincoln, Gillingham and Oxford, the playmaker has started Sunderland’s last two matches on the bench.
Nathan Broadhead - Minutes played: 375
The striker looks set to be a key player in the final few games of the season after returning from injury.
Dan Neil - Minutes played: 332
Sunderland’s Young Player of the Year started the first twofixturesunderNeilbuthas started just one match since.
Callum Doyle - Minutes played: 296
The Manchester City loanee started Neil’s first three games in charge but has since lost his place in the side.
ArbenitXhemajli-Minutes played: 251
Followingmorethanayear onthesidelineswithakneeinjury, the 23-year-old made his League One debut at Wigan andstartedSunderland’snext two fixtures.
Danny Batth - Minutes played: 119
An ankle injury meant the centre-back was unavailable when Neil arrived and Batth has started just once under
the Scot.
Leon Dajaku - Minutes played: 116
While he has made an impact off the bench in some games under Neil, the winger has started just once under the Scot.
Trai Hume - Minutes played: 97
The January signing started Neil’s first match in charge at AFC Wimbledon but has gained any minutes since.
*Sunderland are preparing for a season-defining final week of the season as the League One promotion battle reaches a climax.
Sunderland face CambridgeandRotherhamUnited onhometurfbeforetravelling toMorecambeonthefinalday of the campaign.
Here’s a breakdown of the latestinjurynewsaheadofthe final three games.
Aiden McGeady is making betterprogressinhisrecovery, but Neil admits it is still too early to tell whether he will be able to feature for Sunderland again this season.
The36-year-oldhasnotfeaturedsincelastNovemberdue to a knee ligament issue and has endured some setbacks in his scheduled return.
Sunderland's head coach is hopeful that he will take the next steps in his comeback at the Academy of Light with the season finale approaching.
McGeadyrecentlyrevealed he wants to continue playing.
McGeady has not played any competitive action for Sunderland since suffering a knee ligament injury in the 1-1 draw away at Shrewsbury Town last November, and has suffered some complications in his comeback but could return before the end of the season. He is out of contract this summer at the Stadium of Light.
Leon Djaku, Callum Doyle and Thorben Hoffmann have been recovering from illness.
While all three have a chance of featuring again this season, they will be major doubts for the weekend at least, when Cambridge visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday.