(Image) This Is How Sunderland Could Line Up For The Game Against Bury In League Cup First Round

Predicted Sunderland Line-Up For The Game Against Bury In League Cup First Round

It was a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the EFL Championship for Sunderland. A section of the home support will still retain some hope that they could reach at least the play-off spots. However, the club is in somewhat of a mess at the moment and that was exacerbated by the filming of Darron Gibson’s foul-mouthed rant at his own teammates recently.

Things are going from bad to worse for Sunderland and if there’s any good that can happen to them now, it has to be on the football pitch. Irrespective of all the happenings off the pitch, the game is played on the field and a good determined performance can change things completely.

It was a disastrous 2016/17 season for Sunderland and if they do not arrest the downfall, they may soon find themselves in lower tiers of English football. The season immediately after promotion/relegation is always a very risky one and if clubs do not stay focused, they only end up getting relegated.

After the opening day draw in the EFL Championship, Sunderland now begin another tournament, this time the EFL Cup. The cup tournament is a funny one because nothing really matters on the day. At the end of 90 minutes, anything can happen and there’s no such thing called ‘underdogs’ really. This is why Sunderland can be hopeful of going all the way in this tournament.

Simon Grayson will surely take this cup run seriously and he wouldn’t want to compromise on a genuine chance of silverware really. Here’s how he may line his team up for this EFL cup tie against Bury.

Manager: Simon Grayson

Formation: 4-4-2

GK – Robbin Ruiter

The Dutchman arrived very recently after being released by FC Utrecht and may go straight into the starting line-up after Steele started the league fixture against Derby County.

RB – Tyias Browning

Expect a little change at the back with the on-loan Everton boy Browning moving into a right-back role for this tie.

CB – Lamine Kone

Started the game against Derby and should probably keep his place in the side for this tie as well.

CB – John O’Shea

The old boy could be given a chance to start this game after he was named on the bench for the clash against Derby County. His experience will come in handy.

LB – Brendan Galloway

Everton’s young star has some Premier League experience and could be one of the better players around this term at the club. Should start this game as well.

RW – Wahbi Khazri

Wahbi Khazri could be given a run out as well, ahead of Honeyman, after spending time on the bench in the previous game.

CM – Didier Ndong

Still highly rated and only 23, there’s time for him yet in England. He started against Derby and expect him to start this game as well.

CM – Lee Cattermole

The captain was in the thick of the things in the 1-1 draw against Derby and he is crucial as always to this Sunderland team.

LW – Aiden McGeady

The Everton connection is going to be important this season and this recent signing has genuine quality. He was excellent at Preston last season for Grayson and will look to continue that form here.

ST – Lewis Grabban

Grabban scored from the spot against Derby and that would have given him a real good feeling. As far as a striker is concerned, the feeling of scoring a goal is always incredible and he will be itching to score from open play as well.

ST – James Vaughan

Another underwhelming signing on paper perhaps, but Vaughan’s talent will unfortunately be compared to that of the departed Jermain Defoe, which is more than a little unfair. Expect him to start again.

Here’s how Sunderland may line up against Bury