Future Sunderland formation changes to maximize attacking resources are hinted at by Tony Mowbray.

Tony Mowbray Sheff Wed 2.JPG.article-962

Tony Mowbray hints at future Sunderland formation change to maximise attacking assets

TONY MOWBRAY is willing to be flexible in order to get the best out of Sunderland’s attacking options this season.

Having spent most of last season operating without a natural centre-forward, the Black Cats brought in three new strikers this summer, with Mason Burstow joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea, Luis Hemir moving to Wearside from Benfica and Nazariy Rusyn making a deadline-day switch from Zorya Luhansk.

Nazariy Rusyn joins Zoria - FC Dynamo Kyiv official website

Burstow has rapidly established himself as Sunderland’s first-choice forward, and after impressing in Friday’s 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday, the youngster is set to keep his place in the starting line-up for Wednesday’s home game with Watford.

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Rusyn is yet to make his maiden Black Cats start, while Hemir’s only start came on the opening weekend of the season, but Mowbray is adamant both players will get their chance to contribute, even if it means having to move away from the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been his preference for most of his Stadium of Light reign.

“At some stage, we have to integrate the new players,” said the Sunderland boss. “We have to integrate Nazariy Rusyn at some stage, and with three games in a week, we will give Mason a rest at some point and someone else will get a go.

“We’ll look at different ways of playing as well. There will be times where we play with two up front. We have to keep developing our team so that we can play in different ways.”

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Burstow produced his best display in a Sunderland shirt at Hillsborough on Friday evening, setting up Jack Clarke’s first goal with a superb cross-field pass and winning the penalty that enabled Clarke to score his second goal of the night from the spot.

The 20-year-old is still to open his goalscoring account for the Black Cats, but Mowbray is confident that as he long as he continues to make the runs he has been making in the final third, it will not be long before the goals start to flow.

“I’m pleased with the work ethic, and the fact that he (Burstow) can press from the front really, really well for us,” he said. “He’s got the energy to keep going.

“He just needs something to break for him, and yet he won the penalty for us (on Friday). It’s going to come and like with Jack Clarke, when it does, you will see that confidence and belief. Once he scores one, I’ve got no doubt that he’s going to go and score a lot for us.”

Future Sunderland formation changes to maximize attacking resources are hinted at by Tony Mowbray.

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