VIDEO: How two games led to the Sunderland Redemption of Mike Dodds

Sunderland have had a statement week under interim boss Mike Dodds, beating two promotion rivals in four days. But how did he do it?

SAFC Highlights | Dec 15, 2023

VIDEO: How two games led to the Sunderland Redemption of Mike Dodds /

Whilst Sunderland waited on a new manager, Mike Dodds held the reins for a second game as Leeds United strode into the Stadium of Light looking to go eight games unbeaten.

Dodds seemingly appeared to go mad over the custom tactics with a bold selection that saw three players drop to the bench from the win over West Brom.

Alex Pritchard’s instrumental cameo at the weekend earned him a starting spot in the number 10 role as Sunderland started the game fielding no striker, but with three on the bench.

Jenson Seelt was a more surprise selection in what looked to be a back three with wing backs pushing on.

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Dodds had done his homework though and realised that Sunderland had to be wary of pushing onto Leeds and getting caught by their fast counter.

And, sure enough, Leeds began with heavy pressure, but Sunderland soaked it up, attacked on the break and after the 20 minute marks started to gradually dominate the game.

Dodds brought his wingers deeper and told them to play narrower in defence. As Sunderland sat deep and showed Leeds the wings.

For all their possession, Leeds seemed at a loss as to what to do after finding no way through the middle of the park.

In fact, so effective was Dodds tactics in cutting off Leeds threat that Farke’s team managed just one shot on target between the 20th and 70th minutes and only a world class save from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier kept the score 0-0 at the break.

The last time Mike Dodds was caretaker was back in February 2022, following a 6-0 hammering away to Bolton.

That time he looked scared and overwhelmed by the task, delivering two feeble defeats to Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town.

These games, though, have seen the redemption of Mike Dodds as he went two wins from two against two promotion rivals to transform his record.

So, take a look at the video ‘Dirty Leeds Done Dirt Cheap’ and see the ‘tweaks’ running through Dodds team selection in both games to see just how he did it.

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