Mike Dodds dealt fresh Sunderland player blow after Leicester City defeat
Sunderland will be without a key player for the upcoming Championship games vs Southampton and QPR.
Sunderland now find themselves 10 points outside the play-off places after suffering a fifth-straight defeat in the Championship on Tuesday night.
Mike Dodds watched on as his side lost 1-0 vs Leicester City at the Stadium of Light; Dodds has now lost three games out of three as interim boss.
Up next is another tricky outing against top-six opposition, as the Black Cats make the long-haul journey down to Southampton this weekend.
But one player who won’t be available for that game is Luke O’Nien.
Luke O’Nien set to serve two-game suspension
O’Nien, 29, has once again been an ever-present in the Sunderland XI this season.
The club captain has featured in 35 of Sunderland’s 36 Championship fixtures so far in this campaign, but after picking up a 10th yellow card of the season last night, he’s now set to serve a two-game suspension.
Naturally a midfielder, O’Nien has found himself playing as a centre-back since Sunderland’s return to the Championship ahead of last season.
Last time round O’Nien often found himself playing on the right of defence but this year it’s been in the middle of defence, often partnering Dan Ballard.
Former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray described Luke O’Nien as an ‘amazing’ player.
A blow for Dodds and Sunderland, but a chance for someone else
Not having O’Nien available for what will be a really tough game against a Southampton side who’ll dominate possession and passing on Saturday is certainly a blow.
And with Dodds’ Sunderland lining up in a back-five of late, it could also prompt Dodds to change shape once again.
Though he may be reluctant to do so after criticisms regarding the shape last night; chopping and changing some more may not be the best idea.
So should he stick with a back-five and three centre-backs on the pitch, expect Ballard and Jenson Seelt to start in the middle, with Leo Hjelde potentially coming into the middle.
The Norwegian hasn’t impressed in the last two outings playing at left wing-back, but his defensive traits could be better-suited to playing in the middle.
And shifting Hjelde into the middle gives Dodds the perfect chance to unleash Callum Styles in a familiar left wing-back role, after he was deployed in a more advanced role on the right vs Norwich City last weekend.
So whilst O’Nien’s absence is a blow, it could be a blessing in disguise as Hjelde and Styles could have opportunities to shine.
Kick off vs Southampton is at 3pm on Saturday.
