EFL League One 2019/20: Ipswich Town vs Sunderland – tactical analysis

The first matchday of League One witnessed some interesting results as the highly rated teams secured their first points of the season. Ipswich and Sunderland were two of the names that have gone through difficult ties but still able to bring home the points. These two former Championship teams faced each other at Portman Road on match week two.

Their states were quite different from each other as Ipswich were just relegated from the Championship. They struggled last season for a spot in the league but eventually fell short. However, in this window, they have shown a clear intention of returning by securing new signings like Luke Garbutt or James Norwood.

For Sunderland, this will be their second season in League One after finishing second-best in the play-offs to Charlton. They have had a very tepid transfer window with many of their key players departing, but they have brought in names such as Jordan Willis and George Dobson to bolster the squad. With a very experienced squad on his hands, Jack Ross must surely be expecting for a return to the Championship.

This tactical analysis will provide an analysis on the 1-1 draw between the two teams. Using statistics and graphs, we will point out how Sunderland’s tactics secured the one point away from home.

Lineups

Paul Lambert lined his side up in a 4-4-2 formation with Tomáš Holý his first choice in goal. Youngster Luke Woolfenden started alongside club captain Luke Chambers as centre-backs, while Janoi Donacien and Myles Kenlock played as full-backs.

Protecting the central defensive partnership was another pair of young veterans in Flynn Downes and Cole Skuse. Danny Rowe and new signing Luke Garbutt provided the width while Kayden Jackson and League Two top-scorer James Norwood were responsible for the goals.

Ross’ Sunderland started with a 4-3-3 formation that consisted of four new signings. Contrast to the 3-4-3 lineup from above, centre-backs Tom Flanagan and Jordan Willis positioned in front of Jon McLaughlin’s goal. On both wings were wing-backs Denver Hume and Conor McLaughlin while Aiden McGeady and Lynden Gooch played as wingers.

Centrally, another new signing George Dobson completed the midfield line with Dylan McGeouch and Luke O’Nien. Upfront, Marc McNulty became the fourth signings to appear in the squad.

Ipswichs style of play

Out of possession, Ipswich defended with a 4-4-2 defensive structure. They also adopted a high defensive line to support the press upfront. The strikers would apply pressure on Sunderland’s centre-backs and prevent the build-up. When the ball was circulated to the midfielders, Jackson and Norwood dropped deep and switched their marking target to Dobson and McGeouch.

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