Media mash-up continues as a batch of local reporters preview Sunderland’s latest fixture providing insight, analysis and opinion.
Next up, Nick Barnes, James Hunter and Richard Mennear preview the Lads’ trip to Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium.
Nick Barnes (@Tweed_Barnesy) – BBC Radio Newcastle
The cursed injury imp has struck again this week with the news that Jason Denayer is the latest to succumb to his wily ways and so David Moyes possible plans to deploy three at the back at Stoke mean he will have to consider recalling Papy Djilibodji alongside John O’Shea and the hopefully fit Lamine Kone, who returned from international duty with a tight hamstring but who should be fit. Of course David Moyes may decide to remain with a flat back four but his options in front in the defensive midfield role are now looking limited and the three at the back afforded him the opportunity to push Patrick van Aanholt in to more attacking positions from which he is undoubtedly a goal threat and at the moment that threat is much needed. Sunderland need a result at Stoke and while there is a calculated risk in playing three at the back, especially with the width Stoke can utilise in Arnautovic and Shaqiri, it’s a gamble worth taking in my opinion.
James Hunter (@JHunterChron) – The Chronicle
The quest for a first league win continues – but for a change, Sunderland are not the only team searching. Stoke's start has been almost as poor as that of the Black Cats, with the Potters just one point and one place above David Moyes' side. And that makes this a pressure game that neither team can afford to lose. In the 1-1 draw against West Brom before the international break, Sunderland improved markedly after Patrick van Aanholt came on and Moyes switched system to 3-5-2. It will be interesting to see whether he tries something similar this weekend, handing van Aanholt the more advanced role which seems to best suit him. Ultimately, however, if Sunderland are to make progress they need to start keeping clean sheets – something they have so far failed to do in the league. That must be their priority at Stoke, because with Jermain Defoe in the side they are always capable of making chances count at the other end.
Richard Mennear (@RichMennearJP) – Sunderland Echo
Sunderland's trip to Stoke City is the early frontrunner to be the last game featured on this weekend's Match of the Day. Both sides are yet to win this season, with five draws and nine defeats between them so far this campaign. It has a score-draw written all over it. But these are the games that can often throw up something of a surprise in terms of result and performance. You never know, we might be in store for a seven-goal thriller with Sunderland to emerge as victors. We live in hope. The draw with West Brom seems like a lifetime ago. A win was needed but in the end Sunderland had to settle for a point. It is easy to be negative about Sunderland at the moment but the game did, at least, show Sunderland's fighting spirit and character to come back from a goal down to rescue something. It also highlighted how useful Patrick van Aanholt is at left-wing back. His goal capped a strong performance from the subs bench. It would be no surprise to see David Moyes switch to the 3-5-2 formation at Stoke City. It would give Sunderland numbers at the back as they go in search of that elusive first league clean sheet. It would also get the best out of van Aanholt and Wahbi Khazri in the number 10 role behind Jermain Defoe. Here's hoping.
The views expressed within this article are the views of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Sunderland AFC.