The Sunderland tactical and personnel changes being weighed-up as an unsung hero prepares to return at Plymouth

With Sunderland now in the midst of a seven-game winless run, and with their defensive options becoming increasingly sparse, the impact of Conor McLaughlin’s potential comeback this weekend cannot be understated.

The Northern Irish international has been a steady performer throughout the campaign and it speaks volumes about the consistency of his showings that both Phil Parkinson and Lee Johnson have entrusted him with regular opportunities.

Indeed, were it not for the troublesome hernia injuries he has endured in 2021 then McLaughlin would have undoubtedly racked-up more than the 27 appearances he has to his name this term.

And while his return is a welcome one in the sense that it gives Johnson another natural defensive option to select, it could also allow Sunderland to make some tweaks in terms of personnel and shape as they seek to rediscover that winning formula.

So if McLaughlin is fit and ready to come back into the fold, what changes could the head coach be weighing-up? We take a look:

A RETURN TO RIGHT-BACK?

This is perhaps the most logical and straight-forward option for McLaughlin should he be available to start the game at Home Park.

He could return on the right side of a back four, allowing captain Max Power to push forward into midfield – with Luke O’Nien and Bailey Wright remaining as the two central defenders.

This would give Sunderland something of a more recognised defensive line, and could have further benefits up the field given it could allow Johnson to revert to his favoured 4-3-3 shape.

Were Power to be available in midfield, it would afford the head coach some extra options in the engine room which in turn could facilitate the tactical change.

Johnson has made no secret of the fact that he prefers to play a 4-3-3, and it largely served the side well at Hull City earlier this month. This change, therefore, will no doubt be at the forefront of his mind.

SLOTTING IN AT CENTRE BACK?

While it isn’t his natural position, McLaughlin has deputised in the heart of the defence plenty of times.

That could be another option being considered by Johnson, especially since it could then enable the energetic O’Nien to push further up the field.

One of Sunderland’s best performances under Johnson came when O’Nien played in midfield in the win over Doncaster Rovers, where that preferred 4-3-3 shape really came to the fore.

The head coach has made no secret of the fact that he sees O’Nien playing the vast majority of his games in a midfield role in the long-term, and the return of McLaughlin could allow him to return to the centre of the park in the short-term.

A SWITCH TO A BACK THREE?

We’ve also seen Sunderland have some success with a 3-4-3 shape under Johnson – and McLaughlin’s return could again allow the Black Cats to play three at the back, with the Northern Irish international slotting in alongside O’Nien and Wright.

Whether this is a shape utilised from the start remains to be seen, but it’s a useful option to have in the final week of the season should the side find themselves chasing a game and in need of further attacking impetus.

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