With so many key players unavailable either through injury or suspension, versatility will be key for Regis Le Bris and his suddenly limited Sunderland squad.
The Black Cats were without Patrick Roberts, Trai Hume, Jobe Bellingham and Alan Browne as Aaron Connolly’s strike was cancelled out late as Sunderland’s drew 1-1 with Millwall on Saturday afternoon.
And that is without mentioning long-term absentees Salis Abdul Samed, Niall Huggins, Jenson Seelt, Ian Poveda and Ahmed Abdullahi.
The good news, at least, is that Regis Le Bris has a few players capable of filling a number of different roles, particularly in his injury-hit frontline. Connolly, while opening his Sunderland account with a fizzing volley from the edge of the penalty area, caught the eye not only with his goal but also his positioning.
The Republic of Ireland international dropped deep, at times, with Wilson Isidor leading the line. The returning Eliezer Mayenda, meanwhile, stepped into Roberts’ shoes on the right-hand side during his first Championship start since September.
And while Mayenda may lack Roberts’ craft and guile – more of a blunt instrument on the wing than an expert lock picker – Le Bris admits that he was a little taken aback by the teenager’s hitherto little-known flexibility.
Regis Le Bris hails Eliezer Mayenda after Sunderland draw with Millwall
“Eliezer played as a right winger and I spoke with him this morning about it,” Le Bris said during his Monday press conference, speaking ahead of Sunderland’s clash with West Brom at the Stadium of Light.
“I said that I had no expectations about him before the game because we didn’t know how he would do. [But in a new position] he did very well.
“It is good for me. Sometimes, when you have fewer players, it can force you to be creative. In that situation, the players can find out new layers about the game and it was really the case here.
“When I spoke to Eliezer this morning I said that I did not expect too much because I knew this was new. He played very well as a real winger. There are many things to improve, distances out of possession, the triggers [for pressing] and so on.
“But the way he played against Millwall, a good team and especially away, it was impressive. These were tough conditions but it created an opportunity to find something new. It can be like this with young players, you think you are struggling a lot but you can discover something new.
“And it’s really enjoyable for me.”
Aaron Connolly role gives Black Cats boss food for thought
On an afternoon in which Aji Alese shone at left-back – Dennis Cirkin may be missing for Sunderland for a spell after undergoing surgery – Le Bris was also full of praise for Connolly’s performance in an unfamiliar deeper role.
“Aaron showed he can play as a [number] 10,” Le Bris smiles. “We played a very good game in the first half and this is good for the depth of the squad.
“We know we need 16 or 17 players able to play and make an impact as a substitute. We would have liked to have won more games [recently]. But I think, for our process, we are heading in the right direction.”
Sunderland may have drawn their last four Championship games but the Wearsiders are now unbeaten in nine.