Opposition View: How Sunderland are shaping up ahead of their clash with Doncaster Rovers

Phil Parkinson’s side have made a decent start to the season, driven by the division’s meanest defence, so could this finally be the year when they begin their rise back up.

We spoke to Mark Donnelly of the Sunderland Echo to get the lowdown on the Black Cats.

Q: It looks to have been so far, so good for Sunderland. Is this the season when it finally comes together?

MD: You would certainly hope so. While Sunderland don't have you on the edge of your seat playing scintillating, attacking football, they are methodical, organised and happy to grind out results.

The management and dressing room have set a target of averaging two points-per-game this season (perhaps still feeling somewhat scorned having missed out on the play-offs when the season was prematurely ended and decided on a PPG basis last term) and are there or thereabouts at the moment.

The defeat to MK Dons last week was disappointing but, even so, Sunderland had chances to take a point - if not win that game.

Their xG and xGA stats are among the best in the league, but their downfall at times has been the failure to apply that finishing touch.

Sharpen up a bit in the final third, and there's no reason why Sunderland can't be up there come May.

Q: What have been the reasons behind the strong start?

MD: With Sunderland unable to rely on a potent attack - they haven't scored more than two goals in any league fixture this term - the key factor behind their start to the campaign has been the defensive unit.

The summer signing of Bailey Wright, who impressed during a brief loan spell, has helped to shore up what was a leaky backline at times last season.

Injuries, suspensions and international call-ups have meant the back three have had to shuffle around in recent weeks - perhaps explaining why the defensive standards have slipped.

But you would back Sunderland's defenders to deal with most forward lines in the league, even if they are vulnerable to a bit of pace.

Q: Things look to be changing off the pitch too. Where are the club at with the on-going takeover?

MD: Things are certainly moving in the right direction on this one. While Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven - who are now near-household names after the Netflix documentary released earlier this year - won't be leaving entirely, they will be taking a backwards step.

Donald will be diluting his shareholding with current minority shareholder (and member of the Uruguayan senate) Juan Sartori taking a bigger chunk.

He'll be joined by billionaire heir Kyril Louis-Dreyfus if the deal is given the green light.

There's a real excitement among the fanbase as to what this could mean in the future, especially if Sunderland can escape the financial controls of League One.

Q: How is Phil Parkinson currently viewed?

MD: I think it's fair to say that Parkinson isn't the most popular manager to have ever stepped into the Stadium of Light dugout.

Fans were calling for his head when Sunderland visited the Keepmoat Stadium last season, only for that 2-1 win to kick-start an outstanding run of results and performances.

But after that defeat to MK Dons last weekend, a number of supporters are once again calling for a change - frustrated with the style of play and Sunderland's failure to kill teams off.

Q: What system and style of play does Parkinson favour?

MD: Sunderland will play some variant of a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 against Doncaster, with Parkinson scarcely budging from this shape. They will press high up the pitch and look to commit bodies forward, while the wing-backs will be the main attacking outlets and look to get as many deliveries into the box as possible.

Q: Who are the players to watch out for?

MD: Doncaster fans may well remember Lynden Gooch - if not for his brief loan spell in South Yorkshire, then for the stunning goal he netted against Rovers last season.

He's certainly one to keep an eye on as, on his day, he can be one of the better players in League One.

The same is true of Chris Maguire who may well be restored to the starting line-up after missing out against MK Dons.

And then up front, Charlie Wyke has hit something of a purple patch this term and is starting to bury a few of the chances that are coming his way.

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