Starting XI: Three changes predicted for Sunderland’s trip to Hull City

Saturday couldn’t have gone any worse for Michael Beale. We need to rectify things today.

It was a catastrophic Saturday; let’s move past it. We conceded three very easy goals as a result of our poor attacking and defensive play. Huggins was arguably our greatest player that day, thus his injury made for an even worse afternoon.

The boys’ performance, and even more concerningly, their response after falling behind twice, provides Beale a free pass when it comes to choosing the team. What adjustments will he make today, then?

This is how we could align.

Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson

Patterson has been poor recently, and his form needs to pick up. I mentioned the other day I’d like to see competition arrive and Saturday’s third goal demonstrated just why. He needs a good display today.

Defenders: Luke O’Nien, Jenson Seelt, Dan Ballard, Trai Hume

Niall Huggins’ injury was devastating and rounded off a really crap afternoon. If Huggins had been fit, I think O’Nien could have found himself on the bench today, however I think Seelt for Huggins will be the only change in defence. Hopefully, Beale doesn’t play Seelt at right back – he’s not the answer there, and similarly to playing Ba up front, we’re not setting them up to succeed by playing out of position. Hopefully, we’ll play O’Nien at full back and go with Seelt and Ballard in the centre – I reckon that’s our long-term centre back pairing anyway – but either way I expect it to be more of a back three when defending anyway.

Midfield: Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham

Ekwah was poor on Saturday – as was Jobe after a good opening quarter. But I reckon it could be Pierre who sits out today and Bellingham could partner Neil in the centre of the midfield.

Attack: Patrick Roberts, Adil Aouchiche, Jack Clarke

We’ve got to make changes in attack – if Pritchard is fit again he could come in, but failing that I think Aouchiche could play behind centrally. Roberts and Clarke should play out wide, but both need good displays and by that, I mean productive. Neither have contributed much in terms of goals and assists recently, and we need them to.

Striker: Naz Rusyn

I was stunned Beale didn’t play with a striker on Saturday. He’s simply got to. Hopefully, Rusyn will get the nod as I think he’s our best long-term bet, but if it’s Mayenda, Burstow or Hemir, that’s fine by me, as long as it’s one of them.