Sunderland travel to Norwich City this weekend looking for a strong performance and a positive result to get their season back on track following three consecutive league defeats.

So, how might Mike Dodds shuffle his bunch, and what adjustments is he likely to avoid? We get a closer look…

THREE THINGS HE IS LIKELY TO DO.

While Dan Ballard remains banned for Saturday’s game, there is a good probability Sunderland may revert to a back four following their dismal performance in the first 40 minutes of the Swansea defeat. While Dodds correctly stated that it was as much about mentality as tactics, there was a noticeable shift in the game when Sunderland switched to a 4-3-3 formation, which put a lot of players back in familiar places.

That would most likely result in Leo Hjelde shifting back across to left back and Callum Styles going to the bench or moving into midfield. Jenson Seelt appears to have another opportunity to shine in Ballard’s absence. Sunderland did, of course, prosper playing in a back three when Dodds oversaw a game against Leeds United earlier this season, and Styles was acquired in part because of his experience as a wing defender, so it’s probable we’ll see it again before the season ends.

START FOR ROMAINE MUNDLE.

Dodds was still hopeful on Saturday evening that Jack Clarke will be available for this weekend’s game and those following it, with the winger to be evaluated this week with a view to returning to training. Clarke injured his ankle in the 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City and was unable to practice last week, but Dodds was optimistic that there was no severe problem. At this point, however, he must remain a doubt for Saturday’s game.

His return to the XI if healthy is almost probable, although Dodds will also look to give Romaine Mundle another chance. He was possibly the only bright spot in the defeat at Birmingham, coming close to scoring and assisting in the first half. He then impressed in his cameo appearance off the bench against Swansea City, and while three games in a week may be a little much for him at this point, he is certainly deserving of another chance to shine. Even if Clarke is fit again, he demonstrated at Birmingham that he can play off the right, allowing Abdoullah Ba to relax and have an impact from the bench in the next two games of this important week.

Surprise us.

Dodds wants his Sunderland team to have a definite identity, primarily to get on the front foot and play with great ferocity. He has demonstrated in his four games so far, however, that within that framework, he is quite content to adapt from game to game based on the opponent’s strengths or weaknesses – a belief and trait that he shares with Alex Neil. Jobe played up top against West Brom, Clarke against Bristol City, and the aforementioned configuration switch against Leeds.

Though it didn’t exactly work out against Swansea in the first half, Dodds made it clear in his post-match news conference that it wouldn’t deter him from planning a surprise in the future.

Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/