Dick Advocaat has hinted at changes to his team and expect this promise to be kept for the visit of high flying Swansea City at the weekend.
Pantilimon to stay in between the sticks
Costel Pantillimon did not have one of his better games in a Sunderland shirt last week as another three goals went past him, with the giant Romanian keeper being slightly more at fault for the goals against Norwich City than he was for those let in at Leicester City on the opening day.
He certainly could have pushed the ball into a better area than straight to Russell Martin for the first goal, and he'll be disappointed to be beaten at his near post for the third from Nathan Redmond. However, it's unthinkable to drop him as you also have to take into account how many more goals Sunderland would have conceded if it wasn't for the saves he has made.
Defence to finally see a shake-up
Though the expected changes were not made at the back last week, the ankle injury suffered by centre-back Younes Kaboul means their will be at least one change to the backline this week, with former captain John O'Shea the only real option to replace Kaboul in the middle and go alongside an equally disappointing Sebastian Coates, who may have been dropped himself.
Also, there is a strong case to switch either full back position with both Patrick van Aanholt and Billy Jones having nightmare starts to the season. The Dutchman, however, has been especially bad, while Jones made a slight improvement last week, and with a versatile option in summer signing Adam Matthews waiting in reserve, you might think Advocaat will be tempted to make another change.
Watmore to miss the cut despite debut goal last week
Another area of the pitch which has been less than impressive for Sunderland so far, probably because the manager can't figure out which way to set the unit up - either as a three, four or five - is midfield. Lee Cattermole has really let the side down in the first two games, one of which he only played half an hour in at Leicester, but he's been the captain in O'Shea's absence is not going to be dropped in the middle.
Yann M'Vila did not have a great debut last week, but, against an impressive Swansea attack, Advocaat is likely to stick with two holding players in front of the back four so he'll be in alongside Cattermole. These two will be joined by a third central player you feel and for physicality reasons this is most likely going to be Jack Rodwell, who might be given more freedom to roam with those two behind him.
Meanwhile, out on the flanks, Jeremain Lens has had a decent start to life on Wearside, looking especially good statistically with two assists in as many games, so he'll stay on the left. The only real question mark around the team is the right winger spot with Sebastian Larsson failing to impress on that side of a midfield last week, but, again for defensive purposes, you feel he'll hold off youngster Duncan Watmore, despite his debut goal off the bench against Norwich.
Defoe to lead the line
For how the game is being shaped up on paper, you have to feel Advocaat will go back to just one main striker in the team and, despite talks of a move away surrounding him, that man should be Jermain Defoe, who will not be playing out wide in this one.
It could be another long afternoon for him though as, with this set-up, it will be easy for him to become isolated against the Swansea defence, with Advocaat already admitting that the England international does not perform well as a lone striker.