Starting XI: Is this the team that will start for Sunderland against Southampton today?

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We played well against Leicester after the first twenty minutes or so, but the damage had already been done. We very likely deserved a point, but we didn’t get it, and now we face the prospect of losing six games in a row. That is unacceptable, regardless of the league we play in or the events occurring off the field.

So, what does Mike Dodds do today? I get the feeling he’s trying to be too clever in his team selection and set up, and I think that’ll continue today – which makes predicting the team difficult. Will Hemir be given a third consecutive start? Will Chris Rigg – who was excellent on Tuesday – get another chance from the off? We’ll see.

I genuinely don’t have a clue what we’ll do – so here’s how I’d like us to set up today.

Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson

Same again in goal. Not much else to say really.

Defenders: Trai Hume, Jenson Seelt, Dan Ballard, Leo Hjelde

Dan Ballard came back into the team, and just like that Luke O’Nien is out suspended for two games. It’s a blow – particularly as he was only a couple more games off avoiding a suspension, but Seelt will keep his place in the centre. It’ll be interesting to see if we go with a four or five. Hjelde’s struggled in recent weeks and has looked poor at wing back and on the left of a three, so given the lack of options there we could go with a flat four. Alternatively, Hume could drop into the three and Pembele could get a chance at right wing back, but I think we’d be better off going back to basics.

Midfield: Pierre Ekwah, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg

Rigg was superb on Tuesday, and has to keep his place today. We’ve got a real lack of options in the centre of midfield, so there’s not much room for change here – Ekwah and Neil will surely start.

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