This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more… 

Sunderland have struggled in every area since Phil Parkinson came in and he will need two defenders to improve their level of performance in order to stop a key Blackpool threat.

On the chalkboard

The Black Cats’ boss has tried desperately to find a winning formula over the past few matches but changes in formation and personnel have so far reaped little reward.

The difficult trip to Blackpool means Parkinson would be wise to keep things tight at the back, sticking with the 5-3-2 formation he deployed last time out, while hoping Jordan Willis and Denver Hume raise the level of their game.

Both have proved this term that they are capable of producing stand-out performances. Willis won six aerial duels while keeping a clean sheet against Southend while Hume delivered in the same outing, claiming an assist and performing four dribbles. Although they lack consistency, they have the quality to negate the threat posed by the Seasiders.

The likes of Liam Feeney and Sullay Kaikai have looked impressive in the attacking final third this campaign, producing nine assists and four goals from midfield respectively, while Armand Gnanduillet is often a handful with 11 goals and 7.4 aerial duels won per game.

To get anything from the match Sunderland will have to keep all three quiet, and that could prove to be a difficult task.

Platform for success

The Black Cats have lost seven out of their previous seven away outings, and that means drastic change is needed, particularly when coming up against one of the league’s top scorers.

Parkinson had so much joy at Bolton due to the defensive organisation he brought to the team, with the physical pair of David Wheater and Mark Beevers making that side very difficult to break down.

Willis and Joel Lynch have similar qualities, and therefore their manager must instruct them to get tight to the Blackpool forward and restrict his space immediately. His 61% pass accuracy suggests that a little pressure could see him falter quite easily.

Gnanduillet’s biggest threat is in the air and Sunderland must prevent crosses into the box at all costs, especially from Feeney, and that’s why Hume could be vital.

The youngster will have a lot of responsibility if he is to play at left wing-back, but having a third centre-back to call upon for support should help him out and make things more difficult for the opposition winger.

Here is how Phil Parkinson should line-up his side if he wants to avoid yet another defeat and put himself under even greater pressure.