Today’s piece comes from Gareth Barker.

ON Friday afternoon, Gus Poyet stated he’d be looking to change the system he’s kept faith with for so long, as a result of the arrival of Jermain Defoe.

No changes would be immediate though, and he’d be sticking with what everyone knew best at White Hart Lane.

One of the systems suggested, three centre-backs with wing-backs, was dismissed completely.

So Sunderland lined up against Spurs with three centre-backs and wing-backs.

My colleague, Stephen Goldsmith, ended up looking a little bit silly as a result.

I’m sure he was happy to be a pawn in Poyet’s master plan.

Unfortunately, Sunderland didn’t get the result they were desperately looking for.

You can read the rest here.