Alex Neil reveals reasons behind Sunderland’s tactical set-up yesterday

Sunderland continued their hunt for a play-off place as they beat Gillingham 1-0 yesterday to rise to sixth in the league. 

The Black Cats left it late scoring their goal in the 95th minute of the game in a moment produced by two substitutions.

Elliot Embleton and Nathan Broadhead were introduced in the 68th and 69th minute of the game and Broadhead was able to head a ball in from Embleton to secure the three points for his side.

It was an afternoon that nearly caused a lot of frustration for Sunderland who had 25 shots on target in the game but after the game Alex Neil explained his decisions including his switch in formation from a 3-5-2 to a 4-2-3-1 as he told Sunderland Echo: “The two full backs were the spare players in the game, which is why I changed the shape.

“We went with the experience of Corry [Evans] and Danny [Batth] in those central areas. What I’ve done [previously] is plug that gap behind the ball with pace, but I didn’t want that extra [defensive] player today.

“The experience we went with worked well because we needed that aerial presence from throw ins, corners; that was how I saw them scoring a goal.

“We brought Goochy on and he hit the byline three, four times quickly, which Winchy wasn’t able to do as much as the game went on as he was tiring.

“Embo then produces that moment of quality we needed, and Broadhead gets on the end of it.

“That’s probably the third or fourth time the players we have brought on have made an impact, and that’s really good heading into the final games of the season.

“I spoke to Nathan [Broadhead] yesterday and asked if he felt he could start, and he felt maybe bedding him in with 30, 40 minutes might be better. He had a very good 30 minutes so that was pleasing.”

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