When looking at the form guide in the Premier League over the last 6 games it is not Manchester City, United or even Tottenham that sit top, but Sunderland. The fact that Martin O'Neill arrived at the Stadium of Light to take charge of his first match - you guessed it - six games ago is indicative of the quick turnaround in fortunes that he has masterminded at the club.
Four wins, a draw and a solitary loss at Tottenham have heralded 13 points of a possible 18 and Sunderland are currently the only team in England's top-flight to have won their last two league games on the bounce. While the former Villa boss has made various changes in terms of personnel, WhoScored investigates the extent to which O'Neill has changed the style of play in the North East, with some surprising findings.
We start by looking at Steve Bruce's use of the squad available to him prior to his dismissal, and how the new manager has been bold enough to entrust a number of his predecessor's summer signings, that Bruce himself seemed reluctant to utilize.
Squad Rotation
In the 14 Premier League games prior to O'Neill's appointment, Steve Bruce (and Eric Black in his one match in interim charge) used just 20 of the current squad. The ex-Birmingham and Wigan manager set up with a 4-4-1-1 formation for much of his reign this season, particularly since the loan signing of Nicklas Bendtner.
Not wanting to rock the boat too much upon his arrival, O'Neill has stuck with the same formation in the most part but has made more use of his options in the squad. In just 6 games in charge the Ulsterman has already used as many players as Bruce did before him (20), getting the best out of those that had been previously overlooked but also the majority of those who were installed to the side under the previous management.
A look at each manager’s most used XI (below left - Bruce, below right, O'Neill) shows that the new man at the helm has made a few tweaks to the line-up. A look at the average WhoScored player ratings of the individuals who have been deployed the most shows that 5 of the 7 players to be fielded by both managers have upped their game since O’Neill took charge, with Larsson and Bendtner the exceptions.
Progress Under O'Neill
Perhaps the three standout performers since O'Neill took over at the Stadium of Light have been Sessegnon, Vaughan and Richardson, with the former duo representing 2 of just 3 players to have started every game since Bruce's departure - the other being John O'Shea. While Stephane Sessegnon has been a key player all campaign and is the only Sunderland-man to start every game this season, Vaughan and Richardson are certainly enjoying life under the Northern Irishman.
One of Bruce's numerous recruits this summer, David Vaughan joined from Blackpool but was rarely used prior to the managerial change. He made just 5 of a possible 14 starts, but all that has changed since O'Neill came in and he is certainly proving to be a favourite of O'Neill, and justifiably so. With two spectacular goals in the short spell, Vaughan is the top rated player in the club's last 6 games with 7.27.
In contrast, Kieran Richardson was a mainstay under Bruce but used predominantly as a left-back. O'Neill has installed him in a more familiar role on the wing and the freedom is paying dividends for both player and club. A man of the match display in an advanced position at QPR, picking up two assists, backed up O'Neill's theory that the former United-man is better the further forward he plays
Looking Forward - Midfield the Key
Phil Bardsley has been the weakest link in a defence that saw Titus Bramble immediately reinstated under O'Neill, with the much maligned centre-back earning the best rating of the back four thus far (6.84). A lack of alternative options at full-back, with Gardner and Colback both having had to play there this season, could see Bardsley keep his place. However, the emergence of another player under O'Neill may see changes made.
Young winger James McClean was another of those signed by Bruce this summer, but wasn’t deemed ready to go straight into the first team by the former management. The 22-year-old failed to even make an appearance from the bench but he is drawing plenty of attention to himself on Wearside with a number of impressive displays and cameos. If the Irishman continues to build on his goal threat, having opened his account at Wigan last time out, Richardson could be forced back to defence, or even out of the side with O'Neill clearly favouring more defence minded full-backs so far.
Captain Lee Cattermole is likely to be the man to partner the ever-present Vaughan in midfield potentially taking the place of Jack Colback, whose lengthy spell in the side has surprised many following the signings made by Bruce in the transfer window. Cattermole leads the Sunderland ranks for both tackles (3.8) and interceptions (2.9) per game and gives Vaughan the freedom to support attacks more often than the youngster, who spent last season on loan at Ipswich.
Surprising Statistics
It may come as a surprise to many that since O’Neill’s arrival, a number of the side’s team statistics have been in decline. Though one must consider that they have faced both Tottenham and Manchester City since Bruce left the club, the former manager led the team to a number of advanced team averages compared to those under the new guard.
Sunderland have had less possession in the 6 games O’Neill has managed (44.4% down from 47.3%), and completed fewer passes per game (364 down from 384) with an inferior accuracy (73% down from 75%). Their team averages in terms of chance creation have also dropped from 10.6 key passes per game to 9.2 per game, as well as conceding more (12.5 per game up from 10.7 per game).
Areas in which Sunderland have made progress include the number of shots on target they concede (4.3 down from 4.5), though they have conceded far more in terms of total shots (17.3 up from 14.4). They have also utilized the threat of their wingers more, with Sebastian Larsson to thank for their 25 crosses per game and the trickery of Sessegnon and McClean leading to 12.3 dribbles per game - up from 11.1 under Bruce.
Undoubtedly the main improvement has been the side's clinical nature in front of goal. Having scored with just 8.2% of their attempts under Bruce, this figure has risen to 13.6% under O'Neill. In terms of scoring with their shots on target, the difference is remarkable. Sunderland are now finding the net 42.3% of the time that they test the keeper, having only netted with 25.4% of their shots on target prior to O'Neill's arrival.
It is clear that more than anything, O'Neill has - as he always does wherever he manages - boosted the players' self-belief, leading to a direct impact on their finishing and creative freedom. Never a preacher of total football at Villa, with many fans in fact blasting his counter-attacking style at times, O’Neill makes sure that his side play to their strengths and utilize their strongest players as often as possible, with Sunderland now set to profit.
Good piece. To cut a long story short, O'Neill is a luckier manager than Bruce. You can dress it up any way you want, he may be a bit better tactically, and he may be a better motivator but the main factor in Sunderland's revival is undoubtedly randomness. We know from his time at Villa in particular that his teams lose their way in the latter stages of the season, due to heavy pressing and a lack of possession and squad rotation. Sunderland should be ok this season and for the first half of next but watch for the true 'MON effect' in around 12-15 months. He really isn't that good.
Next game for Sunderland: Chelsea at the Bridge. This should really test martin O'Neill's ability to lift a team for the tough matches!
The impact the wingers have had since O'neill took over has been vital to the turnaround in the Black Cats season. Seb Larsson's Stats may have dropped overall, but with an amazing 25 crosses per game and as mentioned by Grimmy89, Richardson moving to midfield, the creativity has increased overall. The more chances you produce, the more goals you score, simple as that
James McLean has looked outstanding in the last 2 games. I know it's still early days but his performance against Peterborough was brilliant. I believe the commentator summed it up bet 'This boy thinks he can run through walls' such an attacking threat, always running at defenders and not afraid to shoot. One for the future definitely.
Looking at the most used players under both managers makes for interesting reading. For example, club captain Lee Cattermole isn't one to feature for O'Neill, and yet Vaughan (who's playing out of his socks recently) has made a massive impact in the middle of the pitch. Even switching Richardson to midfield again has given more width and creativity to their style of play. It's simple things, but they have a huge impact on results, clearly.
Looking at the most used players under both managers makes for interesting reading. For example, club captain Lee Cattermole isn't one to feature for O'Neill, and yet Vaughan (who's playing out of his socks recently) has made a massive impact in the middle of the pitch. Even switching Richardson to midfield again has given more width and creativity to their style of play. It's simple things, but they have a huge impact on results, clearly.
Its remarkable to see the stats compared to the results, as said in the article, he has an unbelievable knack for raising the players self bbelief when he comes to a new club, and sometimes that makes all the difference.