Phil Smith's verdict: The small step forward that leaves Lee Johnson weighing up some key Sunderland changes

A much-changed Port Vale side offered little threat in what was a largely insipid display on their part, and as Jamie McAllister reflected on the game there was an obvious frustration that Sunderland had not made lighter work of their opposition by extending their narrow lead earlier in the contest.

The overriding impression McAllister gave, though, was of a coach beginning to see a plan coming together.

Most notably, he was in no doubt that Johnson had been left with some significant dilemmas for the trip to AFC Wimbledon this weekend.

Since his arrival Johnson has favoured a 4-3-3 system, and one that has shown some signs of promise when Jack Diamond and Aiden McGeady have been at their liveliest.

Yet some historic problems in breaking down the opposition have remained, particularly when it comes to the sides nearer the bottom of the table for whom a point against the Black Cats is a result to be relished.

It was to this end that Sunderland's win on Tuesday night was instructive.

Johnson shuffled his pack to give fringe players a chance to impress, moving towards a 4-2-2-2 system. The difference to the shape we have seen in recent weeks wasn't major, but it brought a different dynamic to the side as Lynden Gooch moved infield to support Aiden O'Brien.

Though the academy graduate was not quite at his sharpest, his performance in a similar role in the latter stages of the 1-1 draw with Hull City had caught Johnson's eye.

That Gooch has the capacity to beat players one-v-one has often seen him used out wide, but he himself has always been clear that he prefers to play centrally. He is direct and dynamic, but has qualities with his back to goal that can prevent the main striker from being isolated.

Johnson wants to make another signing in this part of the pitch this month, but salary cap restrictions leave him mainly looking at untested Premier League U21 talent.

In the meantime, the prospect of playing Gooch in this 'nine-and-a-half' role is an enticing one.

Johnson had wanted to give Chris Maguire and Elliot Embleton an opportunity, and that meant a natural shift to the shape of the side. Rather than two natural wingers, Sunderland had two attacking midfielders whose instinct is to look for the ball in central areas.

As a result, the Black Cats looked more dangerous in central areas and the main beneficiary was Aiden O'Brien.

O'Brien's versatility was a key part of the reason Phil Parkinson brought him to the club but what has perhaps been forgotten was that he was the player the then Black Cats boss felt could stretch the opposition defence.

Parkinson's side never managed to get the best out of him but here he was a constant threat.

The ball was played into his feet, rather than aerially, and he visibly relished having the players around him to link up with.

The craft of Dan Neil, whose vibrant display served as another reminder of his talents as Johnson weighs up a potential loan move, also opened up the prospect of running into the channels.

It was an intelligent, impressive display from the Irishman and one that will leave Johnson with a big call to ponder.

Charlie Wyke has had a solid enough campaign in patches but his performances of late have dipped and some real competition from within the squad is long overdue.

Embleton, too, will have given Johnson pause for thought.

Diamond and McGeady have both had bright moments since the head coach arrived, and both here made a solid contribution when brought off the bench. Neither will be shifted from the starting XI easily.

Embleton, though, brings variety and the chance to get an extended appearance in a game which Sunderland controlled was clearly to his benefit.

Though there were one or two misplaced passes, the time and space was there to keep trying and as Sunderland took control, so Embleton's influence grew.

In one particularly encouraging move, a superb one-two with Neil opened up the Vale defence and Embleton's effort flashed just wide of the post.

The 21-year-old has much to prove but within his squad Johnson needs players who are willing to be brave in possession.

Above all else, what Johnson and McAllister are hoping for now is the chance to build some consistency.

Their time on Wearside has, through no fault of their own, been disjointed and there have been times when that has been reflected in their performances on the pitch.

Time to work with the players on the training ground has also been minimal and for understandable reasons, the coaching staff have had to focus on a smaller core group as they looked to initially implement their style and philosophy.

After this game they must be beginning to feel that their options have grown somewhat, even if landing some extra support from the transfer market remains vital.

In the grand scheme of the season and indeed Johnson’s tenure, a Papa John’s Trophy win over League Two opposition is not one likely to linger too long in the memory.

Johnson, though, will hope it proves to be a small but significant signal of his side moving towards his vision for them in the longer term.

In the short term, it has very much left him with some selection dilemmas for Saturday afternoon.

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