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Five players Sunderland should buy in January

By Roy Emanuel

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Moyes conducts his first press conference as Sunderland manager at The Academy of Light on August 1, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: David Moyes conducts his first press conference as Sunderland manager at The Academy of Light on August 1, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) /
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Dublin , Ireland – 6 October 2016; Robbie Brady of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup Group D Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road in Dublin. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Dublin , Ireland – 6 October 2016; Robbie Brady of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA World Cup Group D Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Georgia at Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road in Dublin. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images) /

Robbie Brady

David Moyes has deployed a 4-4-2 formation recently with varying degrees of effectiveness. Previous Sunderland managers, like Sam Allardyce, often went with a 4-5-1 approach that focused on strong defending and quickly getting the ball to the centre-forward. Moyes would be wise to add a new layer to the attack with the signing of Norwich City winger Robbie Brady.

Brady’s pace and ability to create space in wide positions could be exactly what is needed to see goals come with more regularity. The Irish international working his way up the left flank and providing service to Defoe would be difficult for opposing defences to stop.

A product of the Manchester United academy and youth system, the 24-year old enjoyed two successful loan spells to Hull City before making his stay at the KC Stadium permanent in January of 2013. Brady scored three Premier League goals in 2015-16 with Norwich City before their drop to the Championship for this season.

Brady possesses great instincts on the pitch and understands the timing of his runs quite well. His winning goal for Ireland in their 1-0 victory over Italy at Euro 2016 is a prime example.

Determination, excellent anticipation and a perfect header from Brady sent the Republic of Ireland into a state of wild jubilation.

No doubt looking for a return to the English top flight, Moyes adding Brady to his line-up allows for a variety of different tactical changes to be made for Sunderland moving ahead.

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