Sunderland need a change of style to avoid relegation, says Niall Quinn
Saturday 29 October 2016 18:58, UK
Niall Quinn thinks Sunderland need to change their style of play under David Moyes if they are to have any chance of maintaining their Premier League status.
Moyes' side were condemned to the worst-ever start to a Premier League season after being thrashed 4-1 at home by Arsenal on Saturday.
Alexis Sanchez gave the Gunners a first-half lead before Jermain Defoe scored from the spot to give Sunderland hope, but goals from Olivier Giroud and a second from Sanchez sealed all three points for Arsene Wenger's side and left the Black Cats rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
And Quinn, speaking on Sky Sports, thinks Sunderland need to move away from the passing game Moyes is trying to implement.
When asked where the defeat to Arsenal leaves Sunderland, Quinn said: "Most people will think doomed. There's a lot of soul searching to do.
"Personally, I think they need to revert back to the type of game Sam Allardyce had going on here where they had a more direct game and the players looked comfortable.
"They looked lost at times trying to do the passing and movement. They had a brief flurry in the second-half but quite frankly, the way it's going, it feels like death by a thousand cuts the way they are playing.
"They've got to do something radical and different now and the fans would respond to a more direct approach. I just don't think they are confident enough to play this passing game that David Moyes wants them to play."
Quinn also thinks Sunderland's problems stem from a lack of leaders on the field, citing the way the players responded after Defoe's equaliser.
"There was a curious incident when the penalty was scored," Quinn added. "The fans celebrated and Duncan Watmore went over and tapped Defoe on the back but they went sheepishly back to the halfway line. The other players then went sheepishly back to the half-way line.
"I'm looking for leadership there, I'm looking for people to get the crowd going, I'm looking for the centre-halves to tell the players to win every ball and press on for a winner.
"What happened was Giroud came onto the pitch and the game is over because there is no leadership. There's nothing in that team to suggest they can play the type of football that David Moyes wants."
Meanwhile, Thierry Henry thinks Sunderland's performances are reminiscent of those given by relegated Aston Villa last season.
Moyes' side are yet to win a game in the league this season and are rooted to the foot of the table with just two points to their name.
"When I'm watching Sunderland play it reminds me of Aston Villa last year and that's not a good sign," Henry said.
"You come back to 1-1 against Arsenal and who knows what's going to come next but there wasn't any happiness when Defoe scored.
"There wasn't any desire to try and go and win that game. They have to do way more than that, they have to go back to basics."
