Aiden McGeady, Will Grigg and a Plan B: The key priorities facing Lee Johnson at Sunderland

After numerous names were linked with the vacancy, Sunderland are set to opt for the former Bristol City boss.

And he will have a number of pressing matters to attend to once he fully arrives on Wearside.

But what will the key priorities be for Johnson? We take a look:

GET THE DEFENCE BACK TO THEIR BEST

With the underwhelming nature of Sunderland's recent performances, it’s easy to forget just how impressive the defensive unit were at the start of the campaign.

Bailey Wright, Jordan Willis and Tom Flanagan had developed a fine partnership that saw the Black Cats register six clean sheets in their opening ten games in all competitions.

But you have to go back to October 31 for the last time the side kept their opponents at the bay with the previously watertight defence looking leaky in recent weeks.

We saw in the early weeks of the season how a strong defence can provide a solid platform from which to build, and it will be imperative for Sunderland’s new manager to ensure they keep things tight at the back as they look to implement their own style and system on the side – otherwise, results may be hard to come by in the short-term.

The pieces all seem to be there. In Wright, Flanagan, Willis, Denver Hume, Dion Sanderson, Conor McLaughlin and Luke O’Nien, the Black Cats have a defensive unit which should provide some real solidity.

The key for the new manager will be finding the right combination and system to ensure Sunderland return to their watertight ways.

ADDRESS THE LACK OF GOALS

This isn’t a new problem.

Sunderland have struggled for goals ever since the departure of Josh Maja and haven’t scored more than two goals in a league game in over a month.

That’s a concern, and certainly isn’t a record that points to a side being a promotion challenger.

In Charlie Wyke, Danny Graham and Will Grigg, the club have a frontline which is experienced in League One and should score goals at this level – even if you wouldn’t hang your hat on one individual being as prolific as Maja was in the 2018/19 campaign.

And while there is arguably a case for Sunderland to dip into the market in January to add another striker to their ranks, that may not be possible due to the constraints of the League One salary cap.

So the new incumbent may have to work with the forwards at his disposal for the time being.

That could mean trying to get the best out of the likes of Aiden O’Brien, who is yet to hit his full stride at the Stadium of Light, or slightly more advanced roles for Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch – both of whom could certainly deliver in front of goal.

INCORPORATE THE YOUNGSTERS

While Jack Diamond and Dan Neil were involved in the first-team squad in pre-season – and have featured in the Papa John’s Trophy – we’re yet to see the duo really given a chance to make their mark in the league.

That has to change.

With the aforementioned salary cap – and the associated squad cap, which will become even tighter in the next two seasons – it has never been more important that Sunderland give opportunities to their younger players.

Neil has consistently shone on his fleeting first-team appearances and could certainly add a different dimension to Sunderland’s engine room.

Diamond, meanwhile, may benefit from the varying tactical outlook a new manager may bring. While he did a solid job at wing-back under Parkinson, he’s always looked more comfortable as an out-and-out winger.

It’s imperative that Sunderland start to hand more consistent chances to these players, and a host more.

And if they can’t, for whatever reason, then appropriate loans need to be arranged to ensure the club’s youngsters are not allowed to stagnate.

A new manager needs to ensure these young players are managed properly and developed efficiently – as that could well be where the future lies for Sunderland.

SOLVE THE WILL GRIGG AND AIDEN McGEADY DILEMMAS

The question over Aiden McGeady has perhaps already been answered.

Cast aside by Parkinson, the former Celtic and Everton winger is on the comeback trail having appeared for the club’s under-23 side last week – and is set to be involved against Wigan Athletic this afternoon, although in what capacity remains to be seen given he has gone a year without a first-team appearance.

He could prove a valuable player for whoever replaces Parkinson once fit – as too could Grigg.

The striker hasn’t yet got firing since moving to the Stadium of Light, but a new manager may relish the challenge of re-igniting the Northern Irish international.

DEVELOP A RELIABLE PLAN B

While Sunderland’s style of play under Parkinson was effective at times, they lack a real alternative for when things weren’t going so well.

The system was scarcely changed and the Black Cats, at times, became very predictable.

Key for a new manager will be finding multiple ways in which to play – for those more stubborn tests which will undoubtedly await over the course of a League One season.

The new man in charge will have to ensure the side are flexible and ready to adapt, something Johnson is used to.

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