Sunderland reporter absolutely baffled by one ‘strange’ Regis Le Bris decision vs Coventry City

Add as preferred source on Google

Anyone watching Sunderland take on Coventry City on Saturday will probably have felt a multitude of emotions, ranging from anger, disappointment, and for some, sheer confusion.

Sunderland had appeared to be back on track after successive defeats to Leeds United and Hull City, with wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff, and a draw against Preston offering hope once more in the promotion race.

However, that good run came to an abrupt end at the CBS Arena this weekend, with Regis Le Bris’ men putting in an abysmal showing against Frank Lampard’s Coventry team.

Lampard suggested the game was easier than expected, and he’s right to feel that way. Indeed, some of the decisions Le Bris made just simply didn’t make sense, and may have handed the game to the Sky Blues.

• READ MORE: Sunderland fans swarm social media and all say the same thing about Dan Neil vs Coventry City

Regis Le Bris used Alan Browne completely wrong vs Coventry City

No one in red and white covered themselves in glory on Saturday afternoon, as reflected by our Sunderland player ratings from the match.

But, one player may not necessarily be to blame for how he performed, with Le Bris choosing to play Alan Browne completely out of position.

James Copley took to Twitter/X to comment on that, writing: “I can’t get my head around Alan Browne not coming on earlier or even starting that game – and then as a right winger?

“Probably wouldn’t have changed the result but still strange. Break probably coming at a good time.”

Browne, typically a central midfielder, was brought on in the 78th minute to replace Patrick Roberts, taking up the right wing role.

As expected, he struggled to make an impact with the limited time he had on the pitch and from an area he wasn’t familiar with.

Browne managed just 13 touches and a 64% success rate with his passing, and failed to reach his target with his single cross and two long balls. He also lost possession five times.

It’s unclear why Le Bris made such a change, aside from the fact that he really had no other options to play there with Roberts flailing late on.

• READ MORE: Forget Wilson Isidor, one ‘tiring’ Sunderland star has been the most wasteful Black Cats man this season

Regis Le Bris needs to shuffle the pack after the international break

Le Bris spoke about how tired his squad is, and how important this international break will be for refreshing those fatigued legs at Sunderland.

The number of minutes racked up by Sunderland players this season, especially the core group of ten players, is simply way too high, and was always going to come back to bite the Mackems eventually.

With such a small squad, Le Bris has to find workable solutions where he can, but there’s an argument to be made that he is approaching this all wrong. Rather than working the likes of Chris Rigg, Trai Hume, and Roberts into the ground, he needs to trust the peripheral figures in the squad.

After the international break, Sunderland have very little to lose and the likes of Browne, Jenson Seelt, Leo Hjelde, Milan Aleksic, and the recently fit again Tommy Watson have to get minutes under their belt so they can contribute in the play-offs.