Sunderland vs.Crystal Palace - e-Sunderland Preview

Article by e-Sunderland Correspondent Ben Mummery

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Sunderland have had such a strange season so far. Considering their league position, and the mire the team has found itself in, there’s a real sense of optimism around the club and the supporters.

With the terrible start the club had under the tyrannical rule of Benito Di Caneo, from sitting on one solitary point from 8 games, few could have predicted the enormous upturn in playing style, attitude, and desire the players have adopted since the arrival of Gus Poyet. It is no doubt this, as well as the fantastic wins in the Capital One Cup competition (not to mention reaching the final) that has given the fans such a lift, however with such a disastrous beginning to the campaign, the season was always going to be an uphill struggle, even with a smattering of confidence lifting wins dotted throughout.

Poyet’s men now find themselves in a dogfight for survival, and there are mixed feelings among the fans as to how they will fare.

Sunderland’s playing style is arguably, the best of the bottom group of clubs. The Manager has instilled a sense of confidence, as well as a fluid passing style of possession football into his troops. With true battle hardened campaigners like John O’Shea, Wesley Brown, Le Cattermole, Phil Bardsley to name but a few, there should be no doubting the never-say-die attitude in the squad. However it is the ability to win their bread-and-butter fixtures that Sunderland have been without this term.

Wins against the big teams, the derby home and away, Manchester city etc., are all well and good, but it is being able to win week in, week out against the teams around them in the league where the Black Cats have failed.

This weekend’s fixture against Crystal Palace is indeed one of those fixtures, so why is it that Sunderland can compete with the teams who are expected to beat them, and struggle in the more even games?

A lack of creativity going forward has been the real sticking point with the Sunderland squad. Players like Borini, and later in the term, Adam Johnson, have injected real impetus into the team, but in general, the side has been very conservative. Often when the “bigger” clubs set up to play against Sunderland, they set up a very attacking team, which can lead to a more open game. Look at the side Chelsea played against the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light in the League Cup for example – looking to have the ball throughout, and play the ball forward, a tactic which Sunderland were able to exploit (all be it in extra time) by countering and getting in behind their defense.

The Fulhams, Evertons, Stokes, Southamptons, Swanseas, Villas of this world simply do not play in this fashion, especially away from home. They build their team from the back, and begin with a solid defense, and it is very likely, especially with Tony Pulis in charge, that Palace will look to play with two solid banks of four, or possibly a four and a five across midfield. It is when the game becomes less open, and they face a more organized defensive approach, that Sunderland struggle. Crystal Palace will look to play an attritional, finite game and will challenge Sunderland to come and break them down.

So who does Poyet pick for this task?

Palace have some pace in their back four, which while not rapid, could cause a little bit of a headache for Gus Poyet. He will be looking to annul their full backs, who are capable of getting forward and providing service into Sunderland’s box. However given the probably approach of Pulis’ men, he must find the right balance between defense and attack.

It is likely Sunderland will set up in a 4-3-3 shape, with a solid central three of Ki, and Colback, and Liam Bridcutt sitting between the center halves, looking to play the ball out. In front, I believe Poyet will roll the dice, and look for momentum and pace on the ball, electing for a front three of Johnson right, Giaccherinni left, and Borini a lone striker.

Backed up with a solid back four of Brown, O’Shea, Bardsley, and Alonso, this is probably the Black Cat’s best hope to break down a solid, organized team.

This will all be academic however, should Poyet’s men allow the weight of pressure placed on this fixture to get to them. One hopes that having played in a Cup Final at Wembley this season, that will not be the case, but with many feeling this is a do or die fixture for the club, Sunderland must break their old habits on Saturday, and for once, go out and win a game that really matters.

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