Stephen Elliott: The key tactical tweak that helped Sunderland demolish Doncaster Rovers and why Luke O'Nien and Josh Scowen were key

Well, on Saturday Sunderland did just that - and more.

Lee Johnson shuffled his pack and changed his formation. He reverted to a midfield three with three attackers. It proved to be a masterstroke against a Doncaster team, who it must be said, are pretty decent.

Obviously all the plaudits will go to Aiden McGeady and Charlie Wyke for their contribution to the game, and indeed the former put in one of the best individual performances I have seen at the Stadium of Light in a long time.

But actually, the team performance as a whole was fabulous.

Lee Burge, returning to the starting team, will be full of confidence after his two penalty saves.

The midfield three was key for me though and allowed the team to get on the front foot nice and early and get right up against their Doncaster counterparts.

I have been bellowing quite loudly recently about getting Luke O’Nien into that area of the pitch and I think we saw on Saturday exactly why it’s vital he stays in there for the foreseeable future.

His performance had some real gusto and it seemed to spark something in Josh Scowen too. In recent weeks I have wondered if Scowen has known what is expected of him in the team, what his actual role is, and what he can bring.

He has often looked a little lost.

On Saturday though, playing alongside O’Nien, he looked right at home.

He was a lot more assured on the ball and his link-up play with Lynden Gooch and McGeady impressed me very much at times.

With Max Power shoring things up behind them, I felt there was a lot more balance and energy in the team.

With a lot of games coming up in the next few weeks, I was happy to see Power putting in a solid showing in there as it’s a big ask to expect Grant Leadbitter to play every game.

Then away from the starting XI, you have Jack Diamond and Jordan Jones, two players with genuine pace.

They offer Lee Johnson options from the bench that I feel are more suited to the 4-3-3 formation compared to the 4-2-2-2 we have seen in recent weeks.

We have been here before when Sunderland have won a game comfortably, so the big question - yet again - is can the team be consistent and take this into the next few games?

Up to now, this team has failed on that front time and time again, but on Saturday the performance felt different.

I genuinely feel that the manager has finally found the right formula to go on a run and ignite a promotion push.

Say it quietly, but there’s a bit of the feel-good factor creeping back in.

Sunderland have both the best player and leading marksman in the division flying, there’s a chance to get to Wembley again this week, and seemingly the takeover is due to be confirmed.

Sunderland supporters can finally start to believe there may be some good times coming back. I know I do.

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