This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Sunderland’s midfield has been a weak point of the team all season long, and if the issue is not addressed in January then it is unlikely their form will improve in the second half of the season.
Stewart Donald has stated previously that there will be funds made available to Phil Parkinson, and though there are a number of areas which could do with new additions, midfield is perhaps the biggest priority.
Will Grigg continues to fluff his lines in front of goal but his manager has maintained his faith in the striker, believing he will come good at some stage.
Given the Northern Ireland international has scored more than 19 league goals or more in four League One seasons, he could be right, but in order to do so he will require more chances to score, and therefore greater creativity from his teammates.
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The current crop of midfielders simply don’t provide that. Grant Leadbitter’s 1.4 key passes per game rank him highest, yet he is not a regular starter, which means that responsibility often falls to George Dobson and Max Power.
Neither have shown many signs that they are up to the task, as evidenced by their respective 0.3 and 0.4 key passes per game, and that means the Black Cats are too easily stifled.
While both fare better in a defensive capacity, with Dobson averaging 2.4 tackles per game and Power one, Sunderland need greater balance in the middle of the pitch, and a ball-player would be an ideal addition considering the team has averaged just 52% – the eighth-highest amount in the division.
Too often Sunderland have looked bereft of ideas in attack and have been too easy to keep quiet as a result. Parkinson was meant to change that but other than the 5-0 win over Tranmere he has failed so far.
That is highlighted in defeats against the likes of Lincoln, Wycombe and Shrewbury, all of whom the Black Cats failed to score against, and the midweek trip to Gillingham also produced the same result.
Parkinson needs a spark in the middle and preferably a player with a bit of pace and an ability to drive with the ball at feet, otherwise it is difficult to envisage their form turning around any time soon.
