David Moyes is still without a win in the Premier League after three attempts since taking the Sunderland hot seat this summer from Sam Allardyce. A narrow 2-1 loss against Manchester City on the opening day offered plenty of positives but after a 2-1 loss to rivals Boro and a 1-1 stalemate against Southampton, Moyes will be desperate to pick up his first three points as a Sunderland boss. However, his former club Everton, now managed by Ronald Koeman have started brightly and will be another massive test for the Black Cats.
Sunderland have been cursed by injuries from the very start of the campaign and due to the lack of transfer activity from the club, Moyes did not have a full-strength team. Some of his key players are still unavailable with injuries but the Scot can still make some changes in personnel to come up with a good result against his former club and rise up the table.
Didier N’Dong in midfield alongside Jack Rodwell
Sunderland shattered their club transfer record for Gabonese international midfielder Didier N’Dong on the deadline day. The 22-year-old joined the Black Cats from Ligue 1 side Lorient and he is a solid addition to the Wearside club. The Gabonese international is a midfielder boasting a tremendous work rate and passing ability. Defensively solid and an engine to the team, N’Dong can prove to be the missing link in the team.
With him and Rodwell in midfield, Sunderland could look stronger. Moyes tried to play young defender Paddy McNair in midfield in the first two games but that did not work out. If N’Dong and Rodwell can create a good understanding between them until the likes of Kirchhoff and Cattermole are back from injuries, Moyes can hope for climbing up the table.
Wahbi Khazri is a must in the starting XI
It is quite surprising to see David Moyes not rating Khazri and playing players like Gooch and Januzaj ahead of the Tunisian international. The 25-year-old played a key role in Sunderland Premier League survival last season after joining the club from Bordeaux in January. Januzaj was used in the number ten role against Southampton in Sunderland’s most recent league outing but the Belgian could not impress at all. If we compare Januzaj’s stats this season against Khazri’s stats last season, it will be as clear as daylight that why Moyes needs to use Khazri in a number ten role.
Januzaj’s pass completion rate this season is just 59% which is horrific for a creative midfielder. 74% of Khazri’s passes were accurate last season which is not the best but much better than Januzaj’s. The Belgian has created 2.17 chances and made 2.17 key passes every 90 minutes this season which Khazri trumped easily last season with 2.27 key passes and 2.35 chances, despite playing a wide role in the team. What’s more is that he offers better work rate than Januzaj. Wahbi Khazri has to start or else Sunderland will lack the creativity they need and the soon Moyes realises this, the better it is for the Black Cats.
