Sunderland’s latest result has caused some discontent within the fanbase regarding Regis Le Bris’ in-game management, and in particular his use of substitutions.
I was, generally, happy with the starting 11 RLB selected to take on Leeds United at Elland Road. Personally I might have taken Chris Rigg out and given Mayenda a start, because young Chris needs a bit of a rest and I like the combination of Mayenda and Isidor, but understandably that’s very risky against such a dominant Leeds side. Then again, we played 4-4-2 against Sheffield United and played with a refreshing fearlessness. Anyway...
After Wilson Isidor’s top-quality opener, we managed to contain Leeds really well. Our low block limited them to speculative pot-shots, and our energy meant that as soon as we got the ball we were trying to hit them hard and fast on the counter.
The first 45 was excellent, and we also started the second half well. However, the game hit the hour mark and the home side were starting to really turn the screw. We were set up in that low block which we’ve seen time and time again this season. We dug deeper and deeper and, as has been the case so many times this season, it came back to bite us. While RLB seems to get his tactics right from kickoff, it is quite often a failure to react to the opposition which costs us late in games. They made their first (double) substitution on 71 minutes, with Joe Rothwell and Pascal Struijk coming on. Five minutes later, Salis Abdul Samed and Eliezer Mayenda were on for Rigg and the goalscorer, Isidor. It’s easy to say in hindsight but I was concerned at that point because as much as I love Mayenda, he’s clearly better when he’s got a striker partner up front rather than leading the line by himself. They had only been on the pitch for two minutes when their subs combined for a headed set piece goal.
From that point on, we had no outlet to relieve any pressure and Leeds were just attacking in waves. Mayenda and Samed were both pressing from the front with energy, but the players behind them were still set in that desperately low block. It was disjointed and just meant that we were missing Mayenda and Samed when Leeds played through their half-press. They were relentless and their goal did seem inevitable. It seems harsh to single Samed out, because he's clearly still getting up to speed after such a lengthy injury, but he looked lost at times and really had no impact in breaking up Leeds' rhythm.
I would have liked to have seen Alan Browne and Romaine Mundle introduced at some point off the bench. Mundle’s pace and unpredictability would have pinned Leeds back a little bit and given their defenders something different to think about. Meanwhile, we could have used Browne’s experience and nous to see out the game – either for the win, or at least a point. Le Bris said after the game that Mundle just wasn’t quite ready. If that is the case, why’s he taking up a spot on the bench? If you’re not prepared to put him on the pitch then someone else should be named substitute, especially in the modern game where managers are allowed to make five changes. Daniel Farke did end up using all five of his, whilst we brought just three players on. That being said, three subs is actually quite ambitious from our Head Coach who often only makes changes when players are either injured or have been run into the ground.
I am reluctant to criticize Regis Le Bris too much. We are, ultimately, fourth in the Championship after finishing 16th last season. Every Sunderland fan would have jumped at this opportunity to be 11 points ahead of 5th and to have a 15 point cushion in the play-offs. However, I can’t help but feel a little deflated at the way the season already feels done, in strange way. We’re in a state of limbo; it would take a catastrophe of the highest order for us to miss out on the play-offs, yet we’d have to basically win every single game and hope our rivals drop loads of points for a chance of automatic promotion. Going into Hull on Saturday, all we can ask for is a comfortable routine win – but at this point, what difference does it make? 13 points dropped from the 80th minute onwards (plus two points dropped at Burnley thanks to the penalties), and 21 points in total dropped from winning positions this season. We could be top of the league by a mile, or even if we’d seen out a few of those games we could be right in with a chance of winning the thing.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, our promotion rivals Burnley simply do not concede goals. They’re terrible to watch as a neutral but they’re so hard to break down. If they finish 3rd and Sunderland finish 4th, it’s a real possibility that we’ll face Scott Parker’s side in the play-off final. If we persist with this low block against Burnley’s stubborn defence, it could well be 0-0 after extra time. We’d better start practicing penalties.
