O'Neill is not generally regarded as a particularly astute tactician, but there has already been a change in the way Sunderland play – from a man who got the best out of players such as Steve Guppy, Didier Agathe and Ashley Young at Leicester City, Celtic and Aston Villa respectively, he likes his sides to play with width.
In the win over Blackburn, Sunderland attempted more crosses than any other side in a single game since Liverpool's win over Stoke in 2008-09, and 92% more than in their previous home game against Wigan, Steve Bruce's last match in charge of the club.