The four key factors in Sunderland’s alarming slump – and what they can change to fix it

Phil Smith reflects on the factors behind Sunderland’s significant dip in form and what can be put right in future

With six straight losses, Sunderland’s season has collapsed in recent weeks, putting the squad as close to the relegation zone as possible.

What has gone wrong, therefore, and what can be done to make things better both now and, more

crucially, for the upcoming season? Here, we examine more closely.

Mike Dodds in particular can use Sunderland’s unfortunate injury record as a major mitigating factor in

recent weeks. He hasn’t been able to start at least one of his starting central defenders and his two first-

choice wingers in the last four games. Leo Hjelde is Sunderland’s only available center-back, and he

could play against QPR this weekend. The team’s two starting left backs have missed the most of the

season. Sunderland was without one of their top players since Christmas.