Anybody watching Sunderland tackle Coventry Metropolis on Saturday will in all probability have felt a large number of feelings, starting from anger, disappointment, and for some, sheer confusion.
Sunderland had gave the impression to be again on observe after successive defeats to Leeds United and Hull Metropolis, with wins towards Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff, and a draw towards Preston providing hope as soon as extra within the promotion race.
Nevertheless, that good run got here to an abrupt finish on the CBS Enviornment this weekend, with Regis Le Bris’ males placing in an abysmal displaying towards Frank Lampard’s Coventry staff.
Lampard suggested the game was easier than expected, and he’s proper to really feel that manner. Certainly, a number of the choices Le Bris made simply merely didn’t make sense, and should have handed the sport to the Sky Blues.
Regis Le Bris used Alan Browne fully improper vs Coventry Metropolis
Nobody in purple and white coated themselves in glory on Saturday afternoon, as mirrored by our Sunderland player ratings from the match.
However, one participant could not essentially be guilty for a way he carried out, with Le Bris selecting to play Alan Browne fully out of place.
James Copley took to Twitter/X to touch upon that, writing: “I can’t get my head round Alan Browne not approaching earlier and even beginning that sport – after which without any consideration winger?
“In all probability wouldn’t have modified the consequence however nonetheless unusual. Break in all probability coming at a superb time.”
Browne, sometimes a central midfielder, was introduced on within the 78th minute to interchange Patrick Roberts, taking over the proper wing function.
As anticipated, he struggled to make an influence with the restricted time he had on the pitch and from an space he wasn’t acquainted with.
| Statistics | Alan Browne vs Coventry Metropolis |
| Minutes | 12 |
| Touches | 13 |
| Go success | 64% |
| Cross success | 0% |
| Misplaced possession | 5 |
Browne managed simply 13 touches and a 64% success price together with his passing, and failed to achieve his goal together with his single cross and two lengthy balls. He additionally misplaced possession 5 instances.
It’s unclear why Le Bris made such a change, apart from the truth that he actually had no different choices to play there with Roberts flailing late on.
Regis Le Bris must shuffle the pack after the worldwide break
Le Bris spoke about how tired his squad is, and the way vital this worldwide break will probably be for refreshing these fatigued legs at Sunderland.
The variety of minutes racked up by Sunderland players this season, particularly the core group of ten gamers, is just manner too excessive, and was at all times going to come back again to chunk the Mackems finally.
With such a small squad, Le Bris has to seek out workable options the place he can, however there’s an argument to be made that he’s approaching this all improper. Reasonably than working the likes of Chris Rigg, Trai Hume, and Roberts into the bottom, he must belief the peripheral figures within the squad.
After the worldwide break, Sunderland have little or no to lose and the likes of Browne, Jenson Seelt, Leo Hjelde, Milan Aleksic, and the lately match once more Tommy Watson need to get minutes underneath their belt to allow them to contribute within the play-offs.
