Sunderland have made a fine start to life in League One following their relegation from the Championship last term.

The Black Cats are yet to lose a game in the league, winning four out of their opening seven league games, with life at the helm of the club promising for Jack Ross thus far.

The former St. Mirren boss has assembled a squad that is perhaps one of the best in the division, and with an average attendance of over 31,000 this season, the Stadium of Light faithful will be hoping for an instant promotion back up into the second-tier.

It has been an impressive start for the North East club, and they will be looking to extend their winning run to five league games as they prepare to travel to Burton Albion this Saturday afternoon.

Here at FLW, we take a look at THREE risks Ross needs to take to get Sunderland to the next level...

Ross' favourite system this season seems to be 4-2-3-1, with the Black Cats' top scorer Josh Maja leading the line on his own, with the likes of Charlie Wyke and Jerome Sinclair sitting on the bench.

But with the addition of either Wyke or Sinclair into the starting XI, Sunderland have perhaps the best strike partnership in the division.

That is a risk that definitely needs to be taken to win more games.

O'Nien arrived at the Stadium of Light in the summer following a magnificent season at Wycombe Wanderers, where the midfielder was a standout performer for the Chairboys as they clinched promotion from League Two.

The 23-year-old has made just the one starting appearance for Ross' men this season.

This should change sooner rather than later, as the Black Cats need more energy in the middle of the park.

McGeady has been a steady servant for the Black Cats through their turbulent spell over the last two years, and Ross should do all he can to keep McGeady at the Stadium of Light for the rest of the season, despite him not featuring thus far.

The winger is 32 now and may well be tempted to move elsewhere for the closing stage of his career.

But, should Sunderland manage to keep hold of the tricky wideman, it could perhaps be one of their best moves.

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