Sunderland’s nightmare start has been compounded upon as manager Dick Advocaat announced his resignation from the side after the weekend’s two all draw with West Ham, in which Sunderland dropped a two-goal lead.
Advocaat now becomes the fifth Sunderland manager within four seasons. With the side yet to take three points from a fixture this season, the future it isn’t looking particularly promising for Sunderland.
The Black Cats are sitting second-last on the table, being separated from bottom-placed Newcastle by goal difference. Still without a win this season the side has only taken three points from a potential twenty-four.
Whilst things have been bleak for Sunderland so far there is one man that could potentially turn it around.
Potential managers for the role at the Stadium of Light are being led by Sam Allardyce and Nigel Pearson. Whilst both have a wrap sheet of relegation escapes, Sam Allardyce could be the man to take Sunderland from a relegation contender to a solid midtable side.
Allardyce had a productive season at West Ham United in 2014/15 as the side reached as high as third position in the Premier League.
Big Sam’s West Ham side didn’t boast the most prolific of players, but their attacking system that they implemented saw the Hammers steam roll the opening months of the competition.
Unfortunately, injuries and a slump in form at the wrong time of the season saw the Hammers drop all the way to 12th position and the club not renew Allardyce’s contract at the end of the season.
However, the fantastic start to the season had Hammers fans singing his praises from the terraces.
In looking at this Sunderland squad, there are similarities between this squad and the West Ham squad of last season. It has a positive mix of youth and experience that could see this Sunderland side become a stable midtable side if managed productively.
If Allardyce can solve the Black Cats’ nervous defensive line with new tactics or a swoop in the January transfer window, he can then focus on taking three points in each fixture.
Allardyce can utilise pacey wingers such as Adam Johnson and Jermaine Lens and hungry forwards like Fabio Borini and Steven Fletcher to mirror the same attacking style he utilised West Ham last season, which should see them gain a lot more points throughout their league campaign.
Should Big Sam get the nod as Sunderland boss, Sunderland could find an attacking prowess that catapults them out of their slump and into the winners column.
The Black Cats will be hoping to avoid another relegation scrap early this season after several years escaping the drop zone.
Currently, the Sunderland job remains vacant. Although an incoming manager is expected to be confirmed during the International break this week.
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