Alex Neil handed new signings Daniel Ballard and Jack Clarke their debuts in Sunderland's Championship opener against Coventry City. Summer arrival from Arsenal Ballard lined up alongside Danny Batth in central defence, while winger Clarke - who was on loan with the Black Cats from Spurs for part of last season before joining on a permanent basis earlier this month - played wide on the left.
It looked like Neil had opted to play his favoured 4-2-3-1 shape, with Lynden Gooch and Dennis Cirkin the full-backs, and Corry Evans and Dan Neil the two central midfielders. That meant Elliot Embleton played wide on the right and Alex Pritchard in the number ten role, with Ross Stewart leading the line up front.
Neil included three more new signings on the bench, with ex-Portsmouth goalkeeper Alex Bass brought in as backup for Anthony Patterson, former West Ham defender Aji Alese also amongst the subs, as was on-loan Everton striker Ellis Simms who joined the club on Friday.
