Sunderland come up against Bolton in a bottom end of the table clash with both sides hoping to earn three points to ease their relegation fears. The Black Cats are under immense pressure from suffering yet another demotion. Sunderland’s luck finally ran out after a nine-year spell at England’s premier competition came to an end last season when Sunderland was finally relegated. The club probably survived more relegation wars in the last ten years than the number of goals they scored last season.
However, it was doom spelt all along for the Black Cats last season and after finishing rock bottom, they moved down to the Championship. Things have not gone well for the Black Cats well this season either. Sunderland have just won five of their 32 league matches this season and with only 26 points on the board, they stand in the relegation zone. The club is 23rd in the Championship and looks set to drop further. After failing to guide an aimless Sunderland side to safety last season, Moyes resigned as the manager of the club in May last year. Simon Grayson who replaced the Scot got the sack after only eighteen games in charge.
It is a sad state of affairs for the club’s board and Martin Bain, the Chief executive of Sunderland and the former Rangers man now have to motivate manager Chris Coleman and the team to not get relegated from the Championships.
The Black Cats manager was left exhausted by two defeats in three games and will have to use his brains, even more, to put out a good team against Bolton. Here is how he will want to line up for a possible relegation battle match.
Formation: 3-4-1-2
Defence
Robbin Ruiter is expected to miss out with Lee Camp expected play in goal. The three men back could be Jake Clarke-Salter, John O’Shea, Tyias Browning.
Midfield
The midfield quartet is expected to be Bryan Oviedo as a left wing back with Adam Matthews as the right wing back. Ethan Robson and Lee Cattermole will be tasked with playing as the two central holding midfielders for the match.
Attack
George Honeyman can be expected to fill up the number 10 role and will be tasked with creating chances. The two-man forward line might include young and exciting Ashley Fletcher on the left forward position with teenager Joel Asoro on the right-hand side.
