‘Fine margins’ was the phrase Regis Le Bris used to describe Sunderland’s fifth successive Championship draw at home to West Brom on Tuesday night.
A 0-0 stalemate which could, and maybe should, have been oh-so different.
That’s if Wilson Isidor had not been marginally offside when the striker fired home. Or if Patrick Roberts’ touch had been a little more sure-footed when his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the far post. Of course, Sunderland enjoyed a lucky escape of their own when Dan Ballard heroically blocked a goalbound West Brom effort on the line in the dying embers.
But still, with the Black Cats now at risk of falling behind Sheffield United, Burnley and Leeds in a hectic promotion battle, Regis Le Bris accepts that Sunderland must turn draws into wins and, preferably, sooner rather than later.
Sheffield United on Friday night would be a good place to start.
One positive on another frustrating evening, meanwhile, was the performance of Trai Hume in a rather unfamiliar role. The Northern Ireland international, on his 100th Sunderland appearance, started at left-back in the absence of Dennis Cirkin and Hume marked West Brom dangerman Tom Fellows out of the game with consummate ease.
Hume then shifted back to his favoured right-back spot, and very nearly assisted Roberts’ winner.
Regis Le Bris pays Trai Hume tribute on 100th Sunderland outing
“He is a good player and very important for the team,” Le Bris tells reporters when asked to comment on Hume’s milestone evening in red and white. “His mentality is great. He is a good player with and without the ball, so he is important for us.
“He played as a left-back in the first part of the game and then as a right-back. He did well but, for every player in the team today, it’s still little margins we have to manage to be better.
“I think Trai has this mindset, and I hope we will be competitive on Friday.”
Still only 22 – Hume is a key part of Sunderland’s ‘crazy’ selection of young talent – the full-back has been one of the first names on Sunderland’s team sheet now for almost two-and-a-half years.
And with Le Bris’ squad hit hard by injuries and suspensions, the versatile streak Hume displayed against The Baggies could yet come in very handy. Especially if Cirkin, after undergoing surgery, requires an extended spell out of the XI.
Black Cats boss happy to continue unbeaten run vs West Brom
Le Bris was keen to take the positives, meanwhile, after Sunderland dropped points again.
Depending on whether your glass is half full or half empty, the Wearsiders are either five games without a win or ten games unbeaten.
“We have many different scenarios,” Le Bris adds. “At Millwall [during Saturday’s 1-1 draw] it was different. At Preston, we didn’t deserve to win. At Millwall, maybe [against West Brom], we deserved to win.
“At least it shows we are becoming consistent and we can face different styles of play and scenarios and we are difficult to beat.
“With injuries and suspensions, it shows as well the depth of the squad is better. At the end of the game, emotionally we have to be stable. It’s not easy but as a coach it’s my job.
“I want to remain positive. I repeat; West Brom are a strong team in the top six and we dominated the game from beginning to the end.
“So it’s a good sign.”