Predicted Sunderland Line-up To Face Millwall In The EFL Championship
As the search for a new manager goes into a third week, Sunderland are in need of more than just touchline leadership. Points are of the essence right now and, with all due respect to Millwall, they have yet another ‘winnable’ game this weekend, meaning failure in the fixture shoves them another step down the ladder towards the impending doom that is League One.
Lee Cattermole is in danger of a yellow card suspension (I know, shock), though no major injuries have been reported this week as yet.
A similar line-up to that which faced Middlesbrough last time could be seen here, with Paddy McNair in an unusually advanced position.
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Manager: Robbie Stockdale and Billy McKinlay
GK – Robbin Ruiter
The summer free transfer has eventually received his chance in goal and will most likely start again against the Lions.
RB – Billy Jones
Once again he’s more than likely to be told to attack and that he should; the club needs goals and should not go into these games worrying about what happens at the back.
CB – John O’Shea
Slipping and sliding down the football ranks, O’Shea needs to find some of his old quality right now to help Sunderland out of this awful position.
CB – Marc Wilson
Partnering O’Shea, he needs to keep his head and remain solid in the face of what may be an aggressive Millwall attack.
LB – Bryan Oviedo
The sight of him flying down the left at Goodison Park is something of the past but much like Jones on the other side, his forward ventures are valuable now for Sunderland as long as they can capitalise on what he may create.
RM – George Honeyman
He may, in fact, replace N’Dong on the right-hand side of the midfield, with the aforementioned perhaps being sold in January.
CM – Darron Gibson
A lot of talk in the summer but not so much action since then from the former Man United and Everton man.
CM – Lee Cattermole
Although he is one away from a suspension, plenty of bets will be placed on him getting a yellow card in this game against opponents with somewhat of a reputation, at least off the pitch.
LM – Aiden McGeady
How much would Sunderland wish they had the McGeady who performed so well for Preston last season in this league?
CAM – Paddy McNair
This is an unusual role for the former Man United player and I doubt he can influence things enough going forward to save this team.
ST – Lewis Grabban
Going along very nicely up front and is a rare shining light in this drab squad. A crowd favourite for sure.