There’s a very nice selection headache brewing for Regis Le Bris right now: who to start up front, Wilson Isidor or Eliezer Mayenda?
Right now, the answer is Eliezer Mayenda. The 19-year-old has started the last two games now, scoring twice against Sheffield Wednesday and then scoring in Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Cardiff City on Saturday.
It takes his season tally to seven in the Championship in what’s really proving to be a breakthrough season for the Spaniard, who failed to score or assist in eight league appearances last season.
Regis Le Bris made the bold decision to keep top scorer Wilson Isidor on the bench against Cardiff after previously just resting him against Sheffield Wednesday, though the Frenchman has featured off the bench in both games.
After the win against the Bluebirds, Sunderland now have back-to-back wins following back-to-back defeats in the league, keeping them in 4th place of the Championship table and with a 13 point cushion to West Brom in 6th.
Regis Le Bris drops Eliezer Mayenda hint ahead of Sunderland vs Preston
Next up for the Black Cats is another game at the Stadium of Light, and another potentially winnable fixture, although Sunderland have certainly struggled in those types of games this season: Preston visit Wearside for a Tuesday night game.
Speaking after the win over Cardiff, Le Bris was asked about his decision to keep Mayenda in the XI and Isidor on the bench. The Sunderland boss highlighted Mayenda’s positive form and how he needs to keep that going, suggesting that Mayenda keeps his starting spot against Preston as well.
He told the press: “When a striker builds strong momentum, we have to keep it. I think he’s doing very well. He’s really well-connected with the team. For example, the first goal was a team goal, it wasn’t just Eli at the end… He’s sharp. He’s confident at the minute, so he’s really important for us.”
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What Regis Le Bris said about Eliezer Mayenda vs Wilson Isidor before Cardiff City
Mayenda’s strong performance and goal against Cardiff may prove to be enough to keep him in the XI for Preston. But it’s a nice problem for Le Bris to have, and he knows it.
Speaking about the striker debate at Sunderland before the Cardiff City game, Le Bris explained: “It is good news to have two good strikers. They are doing well together, they play together sometimes, but they are well connected.
“We are lucky to have them both, with two different styles of play and personalities. They are pushing one another… they are hard workers, it’s very positive for me and the club to have them available.”
To have two in form strikers ahead of the run-in, and ahead of a potential play-off bout is great news for Sunderland, especially with the striker position having been so thin on the ground all season.
Sunderland’s game against Preston kicks off at 7:45pm on Tuesday night.