The key talking points ahead of game with Gills

What were the main talking points to have emerged from Friday’s game, and what might they mean for Jack Ross’ decision-making tomorrow?

FOUR-FOUR-TWO DOESN’T WORK

Ross has been extremely reluctant to play with a 4-4-2 formation for the vast majority of the season, and Friday’s game exposed the system’s shortcomings as Sunderland struggled for most of the opening hour.

Grant Leadbitter was left horribly exposed at the base of the Black Cats’ midfield whenever Accrington’s players broke forward, and Ross will surely have concluded that he needs an extra player in the middle of the pitch tomorrow night.

Charlie Wyke played alongside Will Grigg in attack on Tuesday, but the pair never really gelled, with Wyke in particular looking a yard or two off the pace. Sunderland improved markedly when Chris Maguire came on to the field, and the forward could hardly have done any more to earn himself a starting spot against Gillingham.

PROBLEMS AT THE HEART OF DEFENCE

In wasn’t just in midfield and attack where Sunderland’s starting line-up failed to function – the Black Cats also struggled in defence for most of the evening.

Jack Baldwin struggled to cope with the movement of Accrington’s front pairing of Billy Kee and Paul Smyth, with the mistimed challenge that resulted in the award of a first-half penalty summing up his night. Jimmy Dunne was not much better, finding himself out of position with alarming regularity during the first half in particular.

Tom Flanagan was on the bench on Friday, and has not started Sunderland’s last three games. He was the Wearsiders’ best defender for much of the first half of the season though and has strong claims to return tomorrow.

GOOCH OR MORGAN?

Aiden McGeady is now firmly established as Sunderland’s first-choice option on the left-hand side, but there is a space up for grabs on the opposite flank.

Lynden Gooch started against Blackpool and Accrington, but did not look especially sharp in either game. Lewis Morgan, a January signing from Celtic, got the nod for the matches against Oxford and AFC Wimbledon, but the youngster is yet to completely convince.

Ross will be hoping that one of the duo makes a compelling case for an extended run in the team in the next few weeks as Sunderland’s attacking play is starting to become slightly unbalanced, with a great deal of onus on McGeady’s performance on the left.

GETTING THE TEMPO RIGHT

When Sunderland built up a head of steam in the second half, they looked a good side. With another big crowd behind them, the Black Cats threatened to engulf Accrington as they scored two goals in seven minutes, but it should not take a bout of adversity for Ross’ players to hit their stride.

Sunderland’s first-half performance was lacklustre, enabling Accrington to dictate the tempo of the opening period and emboldening John Coleman’s players to take the game to their opponents.

Things have to be different tomorrow. Gillingham head to the Stadium of Light having won just one of their last six matches. They are not in a confident mood, and Sunderland have to take advantage of any nervousness. That means ensuring they are on the front foot from the off.

WILL GRIGG COME GOOD?

He might be the most expensive signing in League One history, but Grigg has not exactly hit the ground running since making a £4m switch from Wigan Athletic.

The Northern Irishman missed two-gilt edged chances against Blackpool, and spurned two more excellent opportunities on Friday night. His first miss, as he snatched at a side-footed shot and failed to find the target, was especially alarming as it suggested an edginess that is unlikely to be allayed until he claims his first goal in a Sunderland shirt.

As Ross pointed out after the game, it would be more worrying if Grigg was not getting himself into goalscoring positions. However, while the striker is still in the formative stages of his Sunderland career, he needs to start making a goalscoring contribution soon.