Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray has hinted that the Black Cats could move away from their current 4-2-3-1 system in order to integrate Nazariy Rusyn into the starting lineup.
Mowbray’s men have been on incredible form in recent weeks, having won four out of the last five games, picking up twelve points from a possible fifteen. Sunderland are now sitting fourth in the table, eight points from league-leaders Leicester City.
The Black Cats have primarily deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation this season, although this can often shift into a 4-3-3 if Jobe Bellingham advances from his deeper midfield position.
20-year-old Chelsea loanee Mason Burstow has been tasked with leading the line for Sunderland in this structure. However, Mowbray has confirmed that he will look to bring Rusyn into the fold when Burstow needs a rest.
The former Blackburn Rovers boss also hinted at a potential formation change in the future to accommodate both men. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Watford, Mowbray said [quotes via the Northern Echo]:
“At some stage, we have to integrate the new players. We have to integrate Nazariy Rusyn at some stage, and with three games in a week, we will give Mason a rest at some point and someone else will get a go.
“We’ll look at different ways of playing as well. There will be times where we play with two up front. We have to keep developing our team so that we can play in different ways.”
Sunderland also signed Luis Hemir during the summer transfer window on a five-year deal from Portuguese champions Benfica, meaning Mowbray has three potential options down the middle.
Writer’s View
Mowbray seemed to be hinting at switching to either a 4-4-2, or a variation of the conventional structure such as the 4-2-2-2 or the 4-4-2 diamond, or else a 3-5-2.
It seems unlikely that the latter will be used by the former Premier League side given some of Sunderland’s most potent attacking players play on the flanks, like Jack Clarke, and there is a lack of width with the 3-5-2.
Deputy Head of Writing
