Reader’s Corner: You’re the boss!

Well, it’s the play-offs. Again.

The term is drenched in pessimism and anguish across the entire Sunderland fanbase – and our current crop of players are going to have to succeed where many of our previous sides have failed.

Despite how our season ended, and the rumblings of discontent against ‘Streaky Johnson’, I feel like we have the right man in charge to guide us over the final hurdles and to promotion.

Johnson’s clinical thinking and focus on the tactics board may be where the main battles are won and lost in these upcoming fixtures.

With that in mind, I have had a go at putting myself in his shoes and picking the teams that will take on the Imps over two legs.

First leg – Lincoln away

This will be the first time we will be playing in front of a crowd this season and Lincoln will be fired up to give their supporters something to cheer. So to combat this, I believe LJ will use the 4-3-3 formation he has dabbled with recently to try and ensure we dictate the tempo of the game.

Lincoln City v Sunderland - Sky Bet League One — Sunderland emerged 4-0 winners at Lincoln in December. The same again would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Goalkeeper and defence

The lineup will, of course, start with the ‘EFL Best Goalkeeper of the Season’ in Lee Burge; practically the first name on the team sheet at the moment.

In defence, we are starting to have a bit more luck when it comes to selection. McLaughlin, Vokins and Flanagan are very dependable at this level, with the latter two gaining minutes in the U23s recent 1-1 draw with Stoke.

With this in mind, I feel our back four will consist of Conor McLaughlin, Bailey Wright, Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume.

This will provide a bit more stability in the back four for Burge and allow us to hold back Flanagan for the second leg, or potentially a cameo towards the end if all’s well a la his appearance in the win at Portsmouth.

Midfield

In midfield, I believe we will have Carl Winchester at the bottom of a pivot with Josh Scowen and Max Power in front; which will interchange over the course of the game.

Scowen will provide the high-intensity press, Power the driving force and Winchester will take on the role of looking to keep us passing forward. All three are decent defensively but have more in the tank than a Leadbitter to cope with the pace of a fired-up Lincoln, who’ll likely come flying out of the traps.

Attack

Now, upfront is where there are some contentious decisions to make. I feel that on the left we should have Jordan Jones, on the right Lynden Gooch and leading the line (injury permitting) Ross Stewart.

Stewart adds a level of pace that Wyke lacks, and pressing with our highest man will allow the rest of the team to follow suit. Gooch has been one of our better players recently and has struck up a decent understand with the leggy Scot, so could be given the role of out-and-out winger (which I feel is his best position) while also providing cover for McLaughlin who is still returning to full fitness.

On the left, I feel Jones and Hume had a few good combinations against Northampton, and with McGeady maybe not 100 per cent this is Jones’ chance to cement a place in this playoff run with his directness and trickery.

Sunderland v Lincoln City - Sky Bet League 1 — In form: Gooch

Second leg – Back at the SOL!

Back to a Stadium of Light where some Lads fans will be attending! Regardless of the first leg result, I expect the ‘Tinkerer of League One’ to try and impress with some more attacking-minded play.

Due to the short turnaround, and the fact we have a decent pool of players to choose from, I feel Johnson will switch to 4-2-3-1 in this game and look to win/if not kill off the tie.

Sunderland v Lincoln City - Papa John’s Trophy — Back home