Calum Mills reflects on Sunderland’s recent struggles with dead-ball situations, observing a significant drop in effectiveness since the opening games of the season. Initially, their set-piece deliveries posed a genuine threat, but now they often result in handing possession back to the opposition. While Chris Rigg has shown glimpses of promise with his left foot in creating opportunities, Mills emphasizes the need for greater precision. Indirect free kicks must target their players effectively, and direct free kicks should aim for the net with more intent.
Mills is particularly critical of Patrick Roberts, suggesting he should be kept away from free kicks, corners, and penalties for the time being. He also urges the team to capitalize more on deep crosses, highlighting Luke O’Nien’s recent success in delivering balls into the box from the opposition’s half. With better anticipation from strikers like Wilson Isidor, these crosses could lead to more goal-scoring opportunities.
Additionally, Mills notes the pace and versatility of players like Isidor, Eliezer Mayenda, Tommy Watson, and Roberts. He suggests playing balls into the channels to allow Isidor and Mayenda to hold possession and bring others into play or leveraging the speed of Watson and Roberts to cut inside and create chances. He also advocates for direct balls over the top for the forwards to chase, especially against teams employing high defensive lines. Sunderland’s counter-attacking ability, he believes, could be a key weapon in their arsenal.
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John Wilson takes a more measured approach, expressing optimism despite the narrow loss to Sheffield United. He believes the performance was solid and could easily have resulted in a win on a different day, acknowledging that football often hinges on fine margins. While tactical adjustments are essential, Wilson emphasizes the importance of psychology and motivation in maintaining the team’s competitive edge.
He highlights Sunderland’s strengths, such as their energetic high press, versatility in scoring, and strong home record, urging the coaching staff to instill confidence and an aggressive mindset in the players. According to Wilson, the challenge lies in finding the balance between self-belief and complacency. He trusts Régis Le Bris, with his expertise in sports psychology, to keep the team focused and driven.
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Malc Dugdale shifts the focus to squad management and rotation, arguing that Sunderland must utilize their substitutes more effectively. He criticizes the tendency to make changes too late or not at all, noting that as players return from suspension and injury, there’s an opportunity to improve rotation and manage fatigue better. Dugdale also echoes concerns about set-piece inefficiency, pointing out that despite winning numerous corners in previous games, few resulted in significant threats on goal. Improving conversion from corners, free kicks, and penalties is crucial, particularly against teams that may rely on physicality and defensive tactics.
Dugdale stresses the importance of addressing late-game vulnerabilities. Recent matches have seen Sunderland concede decisive goals in the final minutes, costing them points. He calls for better concentration and fitness management during the last twenty minutes of games, highlighting the role of timely substitutions in mitigating fatigue-related errors.
Finally, Dugdale underscores the importance of maximizing points in the upcoming fixtures, particularly before facing Norwich. He warns that failing to capitalize on these opportunities could erode Sunderland’s current advantage over their rivals. His rallying cry is clear: the team must get back to winning ways, starting with Stoke.
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