Regis Le Bris was just as confused as the rest of us when Wilson Isidor's goal was ruled out against Derby, but fortunately it didn't come back to bite us. The Head Coach has spoken of Sunderland's need to finish more of their chances but priased his side's defensive work.
WHY WAS IT DISALLOWED?
"I don't know, really. Maybe with VAR we could analyse the first ball and maybe an offside, but I don't think it was that decision. It was higher up the pitch and at the moment we don't know. It could have changed the outcome of the game, but at the end it was another tough game and the balance was different for the duration."
NEED TO KILL GAMES
"We started maybe a little slowly because they are direct, and then after 15 minutes we were good and created many chances in the first half. And if you don't score the second goal, you know that the opponent will believe until the end and it happened like that. It's good for our character because it shows that even in these circumstances we are ready to defend until the end. I'd also like to have a more relaxed end to the game because it's important to avoid last-minute equalisers, and we have had them before."
DUG IN DEEP
“It was a tough game. We had the opportunity to score a second goal, but we didn’t and with their back three and wide players, it was difficult to press and apply pressure on their first ball. It was difficult to find the right distance, so they managed many long balls in behind our defence to their target-man. Around the box, many things can happen, and it was difficult because they created many chaotic situations. The only way to stop it is to score, so in the end, it’s a good win because they are really efficient in their way of playing. It is not easy to solve the questions they ask of you."
MAYENDA PRAISE
“I think after the first 15 minutes, it [the system] worked well. We were good in that part of the game, and Eli scored in that position so it was positive from that perspective. After that, it was a bit more difficult and we lost a bit of control in the middle of the pitch. When we have two strikers, we have one less player in the middle. Halfway through the second half, we decided to make a change and play with three midfielders again, and I think it was better for us. At the end, it was a good choice.”
