Jermain Defoe: Sunderland could change formation today after confirmed news – Phillips
Kevin Phillips has claimed new Sunderland manager Alex Neil could change system to accommodate Jermain Defoe in the starting XI.
However, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the Stadium of Light legend suggested marginal adjustments, rather than a formational change, would bring about a change in form quickest.
On Friday night (11 February), the Black Cats announced the appointment of Alex Neil on a 12-month rolling contract.
The ex-Preston boss is tasked with getting Sunderland’s promotion bid back on track, starting with a trip to Wimbledon today.
The Wearside club have lost their last three League One fixtures.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs what changes Neil could make, Phillips said: “He might go for a system change.
“The only way you are going to get Defoe in there is by playing two up top. You are not going to drop Ross Stewart. He’s probably the first name on the team sheet.
“The problem is, this is not the stage of the season to experiment. The time to change formation would be in pre-season or the beginning of the season.
“It’d be a gamble to go two up top with Defoe and Stewart now. If I’m honest, I see Defoe being more of an impact player.
“But you never know, Alex Neil might have a totally different view on it. Something has to change. Maybe he thinks that could work.
“Sunderland need to start winning football matches. It is as simple as that.”
In other news, one of Sunderland’s January signings has been tipped to dazzle after ex-teammate’s ‘massive’ dressing room claim.