Sunderland have now drawn five games in a row, and with Sheffield United up next, Regis Le Bris is going to have to change things up.
The 0-0 draw against West Brom on Tuesday night saw Sunderland slip down the Championship table, with their next opponents climbing to the top of the tree.
While still relatively early in the season, it feels as though the upcoming clash with the Blades could be a real marker for what Regis Le Bris can achieve with the Black Cats this year.
The Sunderland manager has told his players they need to improve in the attacking third, but their recent struggles to dominate games may leave Le Bris with no option but to make a drastic change to his system for the visit to Bramall Lane.
Le Bris needs to link Aaron Connolly and Wilson Isidor again
One thing was clear from the draw against West Brom this week: Wilson Isidor did not get the service and support he needed. In fact, the striker was having to drop deep too often to make something happen for himself, meaning he was unable to do what he does best — score goals.
Isidor looked far more effective when he was partnered with Aaron Connolly against Millwall. The latter got the goal on that day, but both players appeared to really connect up well, with Connolly the one to drop deeper, leaving Isidor in the box.
| Statistic | Wilson Isidor 2024/25 | Aaron Connolly 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 14 | 7 |
| Goals | 5 | 1 |
| xG | 3.9 | 0.7 |
| Shots on target | 44.4% | 100% |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 1.13 | 0.42 |
Having two strikers on the pitch, both with very different playing styles, could help Sunderland hurt Sheffield United on Friday, but it’s not quite that simple.
Le Bris reintroduced Jobe Bellingham to his starting lineup on Tuesday after the midfielder returned from a suspension, and with two deeper midfielders and two wingers either side, there just isn’t space for a second striker in his team.
Formation change could help Sunderland overcome Sheffield United
The solution to that dilemma may end up benefitting Sunderland across the pitch, though. And it will involve a change of formation, with Le Bris switching from a 4-2-3-1 to a 5-3-2, incorporating wing-backs to offer flexibility in attack and defence.
The victims of that change would likely be the wingers. Patrick Roberts was poor against West Brom and has struggled to make the right decisions in the final third, while young Tommy Watson was described as ‘wasteful’ by the Sunderland fans.
Cutting them from the team would add extra responsibilities on Trai Hume and Aji Alese, who would play the wing-back roles. The pair would need to operate as part of a back five when Sunderland are up against, it, but support in attack when possession turns over.
Meanwhile, Luke O’Nien could come back into the centre of defence without Chris Mepham or Dan Ballard needing to be sacrificed. The pair were outstanding against the Baggies, and having another man at the back alongside them could be key to suffocating Sheffield United in attack.
It’s a gamble for Le Bris to alter things so much ahead of arguably the biggest game of the season so far, but clearly, things aren’t working right now, and a bold move could bring huge rewards in this top of the table clash.