With the international break thankfully nearing it's end, we can all look forward to club football once again as we travel to Hull on Sunday. Before then, here is the latest roundup of stories revolving around Sunderland AFC.
LE BRIS DEMANDS MORE
According to reports, despite our incredible start Regis Le Bris has recently told the board that he will need to be backed in the January transfer window if we are to remain amongst the top of the table. The most desperate position for reinforcements would be in full back on both sides. On the right we have Trai Hume and that's it. So if something was to happen to him, we'd be shoe horning players into there, or relying on players who aren't ready. Then on the left, despite having several options for this position, they're all injury prone. At the moment we only have Dennis Cirkin fit, who has had his own injury issues, then there's Niall Huggins who is still recovering from a long term injury, and finally there is Aji Alese, who can also play centre back, but again is still recovering from an injury.
CONNOLLY SCORES BRACE FOR U21S
Aaron Connolly has been in fine form for the Under 21s during the international break. Before the break he was on the bench for the Leeds game, but Le Bris had already said he wouldn't be bringing him on as he didn't want to push him too quick. Then during the break he has played twice for the U21s, scoring once in his first game where he should have also had an assist after sending Nazariy Rusyn through on goal, as well as notching a brace on Tuesday night. He's also recently opened up about his past with alcohol addiction, which had cast a dark cloud over his football. It was a brutally honest and extremely brave interview which is well worth giving your time to watch. The full video is embedded at the bottom of this article. Hopefully we see him soon for the senior squad and he can carry on his run of good form.
Graeme Murty said: “He leads by example, gives them advice but he’s also not shy about getting after people if they’re below the standard, and that’s good. He’s a very, very good finisher and we see that in training as well. He was disappointed to come off, he was supposed to come off at 60 and ended up coming off at 70 - he wanted to stay on. It’s brilliant for us and a great example for the young players.”
PEMBELE REFUSED TO PLAY FOR U21'S
When we signed Timothee Pembele from PSG it was met with optimism, as it seemed like we had found a decent player, but on Wearside he hasn't met the expectations on the pitch. And now it seems like his attitude off the pitch is something that we don't want or need. Apparently, before his loan, he refused to play for the Under 21s which is poor. I think everyone else at the club would drop down, to keep fit more than anything. Take a look at Aaron Connolly for example, he's played in the top fight of English football previously and yet he's happy to play with the youngsters to up his fitness and make a way into the starting eleven. But now that Pembele is out on loan, hopefully he can make a good account of himself and next summer when he comes back to us he will be closer to pushing for a spot in the starting eleven.
