Sunderland have started the season relatively well, picking up four points from their opening two fixtures. Despite this, none of the club's strikers have found the net. Phil Parkinson bolstered his attacking choices in the summer, bringing in Aiden O'Brien and Danny Graham from Championship clubs. The Black Cats forwards must start scoring if they are to return to England's second tier. 

Finding the right system

Typically, Phil Parkinson prefers to play with a target man. Throughout his managerial career, he has deployed a large frame up front, with some success. He inspired James Hanson to fire Bradford City to a League Cup final and promotion to League One back in 2013. 

At Sunderland, he has two target men to pick from. Charlie Wyke and new recruit, Danny Graham. The former is heading into his third season of an unsuccessful period on Wearside, scoring just 13 goals in 63 appearances. 

Graham joins on the back of a successful spell with Blackburn Rovers, where he achieved promotion from League One back in 2018. Graham is 35 now, however, he causes opposition defenders issues with his work rate and movement. 

The issue for Sunderland is that they tend to play a very similar style of play, regardless of the lineup. For example, in the opening day draw with Bristol Rovers, Will Grigg played up-front. Grigg is a poacher - a penalty box striker, yet Sunderland played as though the 6'3 Wyke was up front. Punting long balls at a player like Grigg is not going to help him or the team. 

In the win over Oxford United, Graham started in the number nine role. Though he didn't score, he looked much more comfortable than his teammate just a week earlier. 

In essence, Sunderland need to find the best system to maximize their strikers' output. Deploying two strikers could be an answer, giving Grigg more support with flick-ons. Sunderland's strikers are isolated far too often so, especially at home when the onus is on them, they could play with two strikers to alleviate this problem. 

Creating big chances

Sunderland are expected to be on top in most games they play, however, they create very little chances in these games. In the win over Oxford, it took a fluke ricochet for the ball to reach the scorer Luke O'Nien, then a piece of individual brilliance from Lynden Gooch. The creative engine of the team must step up to aid the forwards. 

Denver Hume takes criticism for inconsistent performances, yet he has been one of the team's biggest creators recently. He is thriving in the wing-back role under Parkinson, and is constantly flying up the pitch. It is a glaring issue that a defender is the most creative player. 

Josh Scowen provided three assists and a goal in the emphatic 8-1 win over Aston Villa's Under 23's in the EFL Trophy. Though the opposition was considerably weaker, Scowen's performance was excellent. He is yet to start in the league campaign, instead George Dobson and Grant Leadbitter were favoured. The former is a defensive midfielder; the latter a 34-year-old deep-lying playmaker. 

This again highlights Sunderland's attacking issues. They aren't getting bodies towards the forwards. Late runs from midfield can be crucial in panicking a defence, leaving gaps for strikers to thrive in. Yet Sunderland opt to play three centre-halves with a defensive midfielder covering. 

Yes, the start to the campaign has been relatively strong, however, the upcoming fixtures are tough. Sunderland face promotion rivals Peterborough United, before tough clashes with Charlton Athletic and Blackpool. 

These games may define Sunderland's season, therefore it is essential that the forwards begin to score. Confidence issues may arise if they do not get off the mark quickly, and, with League One being so strong this year, confidence and clinical finishing is absolutely necessary.