Marco Gabbiadini, a BBC analyst and former Sunderland striker, has identified two reasons for the Black Cats’ recent improvement in form.
Sunderland is concluding a mixed 2023/24 season in good shape.
The Black Cats have now lost only one of their past six games, winning 1-0 away at West Brom over the weekend thanks to a well-taken Pierre Ekwah strike.
Prior to that, Mike Dodds oversaw a very encouraging 0-0 draw against Leeds United, as Sunderland had lately established a great defensive record.
Sunderland has preserved five clean sheets in its past six games.
Mike Dodds changes Sunderland formation
For the last several games recently, Sunderland have set up with a back-five, using a 5-2-2-1 configuration.
It’s a shift from the normal 4-2-3-1 which was functioning early in the season under Tony Mowbray.
But a change in structure was undoubtedly needed and it looks like Dodds is steadily bringing the best out of this Sunderland team, who sit in 13th position of the Championship standings.
Gabbiadini outlined two crucial causes in the current upturn in form in an interview with Total Sport.
“It’s a strange thing to say, but I think the centre-forwards made a difference because we’ve actually got an out ball at the moment. We’ve actually got somebody we can play the ball up to, and there’s a good chance that he’ll do something with it, and be in a position to receive it.”
Gabbiadini added:
“They’ve had a bit of a change in formation as well.”
Jobe Bellingham new role under Mike Dodds
The Sunderland no.9 position has been a contentious one since their return to the Championship in 2022.
But in the last few games recently, Jobe Bellingham has started as the lone striker, and he’s been a significant upgrade on the likes of Luis Hemir.
Hemir in particular was garnering criticism for a lack of intensity and work-rate up top whereas Bellingham provided terrific energy.
As Gabbiadini points out, Bellingham provides Sunderland with a decent out ball when they need it, because they know he will put in the yards while also providing quality.
The 18-year-old has seven goals in 42 Championship appearances this season.
Sunderland next boss will need Mike Dodds expertise
It has not been easy for Dodds in his third stint as temporary manager.
But he’s gradually winning over these players and appears to be staying with the club next season, where he’ll be a primary focus for the next Sunderland manager.
Dodds understands these players better than anyone else in the team right now.
And he’s shown a strong tactical side to his coaching qualifications with this adjustment in shape, as well as tweaks like placing Bellingham up front, which have proven helpful.
Sunderland’s new structure has undoubtedly improved their defensive ability, with two advanced wing-backs Callum Styles and Timothee Pembele making the Black Cats more aggressive moving forward.
Sunderland now have three games remaining, including a visit from Millwall on Saturday.
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