Alex Neil took over the Sunderland job in February of this year following the departure of Lee Johnson.
Since then, the former Norwich City boss has taken charge of 18 Sunderland games, winning 10, drawing 7 and losing just one.
This impressive record saw the Black Cats secure a place in the playoffs.
This tactical analysis will cover the tactics used by Alex Neil in the play-off semi-final matches and the play-off final.
In this analysis, we will examine how Neil set his side up to beat Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers.
Play-0ff Semi-Final Leg 1 and Leg 2
In the play-off semi-final, Sunderland took on Sheffield Wednesday.
The first match at the Stadium of Light finished 1-0 for Sunderland.
The second saw Sunderland equalise in the third minute of injury time, making the game 1-1, to secure a place in the play-off final.
Alex Niel Tactics In possession
During the semi-final, Alex Neil tactically set his side up in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
This formation allowed for Sunderland to build up from deep, with the 2 holding midfielders dropping into the space left behind by the wide-spreading back 4.
Neils men want to build up from the back and maintain possession.
The two midfielders play on the same line as the fullbacks while building up.
This allows for space to be created whilst giving the centre-backs options to pass to.
In possession, the Sunderland boss wants his midfielders to rotate between pulling wide and dropping centrally.
In the semi-final, it was clear to see that Sunderland looked to capitalise on space out wide.
On several
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