For Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with Championship strugglers QPR, Wilson Isidor’s ruthless finishing is only part of the package.
Yes, the Zenit St Petersburg loanee is in sensational form at present.
In six Championship starts, Wilson Isidor has scored four goals now. It is not just the frequency of his finishes, meanwhile, but the variety of them that has earned the Frenchman fans’ favourite status only a few weeks into his Black Cats career.
After chipping a winner into the Hull City net on the back of a barnstorming 80 yard run, Isidor lashed home a ‘wonderful’ volley as Sunderland defeated Oxford United on Saturday to move five points clear of Burnley and Leeds United at the top of the table.
Regis Le Bris worked with Isidor during his formative years in the Rennes youth team.
And, after being reunited with the Brittany-born 24-year-old on Wearside, the Sunderland boss is keen to point out that Isidor brings far more to the table than just sticking the ball in the back of the opposition net.
Regis Le Bris explains why Wilson Isidor is perfect Sunderland striker
“He wants to improve. This part of his personality is very interesting to us,” Le Bris says during his Thursday press conference, explaining the attributes which made Isidor the perfect fit for Sunderland’s system.
“His profile matches very well what we needed to improve our game. He is very orientated to run in behind – he is very generous – and with good timing. The connection with our striker, running in behind, was very important because we can create a chance just with one pass.”
The goal which secured three more points for Sunderland against Des Buckingham’s Oxford at the Stadium of Light sum up is just about the perfect example of what Le Bris is referring to.
After Isidor span in behind the Oxford backline, all it took was one clipped Dan Neil through ball to put the striker one-on-one.
Former Sunderland hero Julio Arca lauded Isidor for providing a new dimension this week. And Le Bris’ glowing praise showing he is in full agreement with the Argentine.
“Now, we have a better connection with him,” adds Le Bris, who feels that Elezier Mayenda and the speedy Aaron Connolly are also capable of thriving in Isidor’s place if required.
“It’s not finished, [Isidor] can improve. We’ve got this connection with Elezier and Aaron as well.
“[Mobile strikers who run in behind means] we can create spaces inside. We worked a lot on the sides with our triangles. And, with a striker that is able to run in behind now, we have space to exploit.
“So I think, now, we probably have a better balance in possession and it’s a good orientation for us. Interesting.”
Le Bris wary of QPR threat ahead of weekend’s Championship clash
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus highlighted Le Bris’ attention to detail and his excellent communication skills when explaining why a man who had suffered relegation from France’s top-flight with FC Lorient last term had been earmarked as Sunderland’s new coach during the summer.
Every time he stands in front of the camera, Le Bris deep tactical knowledge and his impeccable English comes to the fore. And the 48-year-old was as forthright as usual as he spelled out what Sunderland can expect in West London from a Queens Park Rangers side lumbering at the other end of the table.
“[QPR will pose] a threat,” Le Bris argues. “I’m always very respectful with all the teams in the league because we won’t have on any easy games. [That] is very clear in my mind.
“They have many weapons. They’ve struggled from the beginning of the season, no doubt about it, but they have qualities and they can they can score. They can protect their goal. They have [quality] individuals.
“So it will be a tough game again.”