Sunderland lost 2-1 to Gateshead in their second pre-season match of Regis Le Bris’ tenure.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris oversaw two separate friendlies on Saturday, with two different squads put to the test against non-league sides South Shields and Gateshead.
The first of the friendlies saw Le Bris’ side 5-0 up at half time, courtesy of a star performance from stand-in captain Dan Neil, who played brilliantly alongside Chris Rigg in the centre of the park.
Striker Eliezer Mayenda also showed signs of improvement under the French manager, after he scored from the penalty spot.
Portuguese attacker Luis Hemir was also given necessary gametime against South Shields, with the striker hoping to put last season behind him after being unable to score in the 2023/24 Championship campaign.
However, Sunderland’s second friendly saw them undone at the Gateshead International Stadium, with the only Black Cats goal coming courtesy of Jack Clarke.
After the pre-season defeat to Gateshead, the former Tottenham and Leeds United winger was asked about Le Bris’ tactics so far in pre-season.
Jack Clarke opens up on Sunderland tactics that ‘didn’t quite come off’ against Gateshead
The Sunderland winger’s goal came from the penalty spot to level up the game to 1-1, however before half time, Gateshead went back in front and held on to a 2-1 victory.
After the game, Clarke was asked whether he will be able to thrive under Le Bris tactics.
Per Daniel Wales on X, Clarke said: “It’ll help me thrive but I also think it should help the whole team thrive once we’ve got complete clarity and understanding of what he wants, when he wants and who’s doing what etc.
“Obviously it’s been difficult so far and it didn’t quite come off for us today, but once we get that clarity, we’ll be thriving.”
It’s crucial that Sunderland adapt to Regis Le Bris’ tactics quickly
The earlier friendly saw Le Bris ball in full swing, with high press from the front, short and intricate passing and quick movement across the pitch.
It seemed as if the Black Cats side had fully taken on the Frenchman’s style of play, however the second XI that was undone at Gateshead were unable to implement it to the same effect.
The Sunderland ranks are full of young players, who may struggle more than the experienced ranks to adapt quickly to a style of play that even Clarke has described as ‘difficult’.
Sunderland struggled when looking for direction after Tony Mowbray’s exit, and if the current side don’t have ‘complete clarity and understanding’, then this will have to be worked on quickly by Le Bris and his staff.
The ongoing issue of Sunderland having very few experienced heads in the dressing room will ultimately be in play for this, as those who have experienced many pre-seasons under a new boss will be able to play into a new manager’s style of play with more ease.