One recent emergence of a Sunderland player has been on the cards for a while according to the comments of one of the backroom staff last season.
Sunderland’s recent clash with Sheffield United saw them come out as 2-1 victors against the side currently sitting 3rd in the Championship table.
At what first seemed to be a bold move by French boss Regis Le Bris to play two strikers against Chris Wilder’s side, it paid its dividends as the attacking duo of Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor both supplied the goals to lead Sunderland to a massive win at the summit of the Championship table.
As well as the two strikers being on top form, Sunderland’s wide men continued to show their quality after last time, with Patrick Roberts causing constant havoc on the right flank, whilst Adil Aouchiche continues to defy expectations by being Championship-ready, despite his first start this season coming recently against Stoke City.
The emergence of the French winger has been remarkable in recent days, however, the writing has been on the wall according to one prominent Black Cats figure from last season.
Former Sunderland assistant Mark Venus comments on Adil Aouchiche finally ring true after recent games
Aouchiche arrived on Wearside at the beginning of the 2023/24 Championship season, a player that arrived with bags of potential that weren’t quite displayed in Tony Mowbray’s side.
Mowbray’s assistant Mark Venus, however, saw plenty of talent from the Frenchman, despite the fact that he wasn’t being handed much game-time, to which he said in a press-conference last year: “I think of all the players [we brought in over the summer], I think he’s the one who seems to have settled in the quickest. He’s a talented boy and his performances from the bench, I think he’s made everyone take notice. I think you have to take notice of him.
“He influences the team when he’s on the pitch, he’s a talented individual. He’s important to us, you can see that. He’s getting stronger and better as you can see from watching the games.”
There is no doubting the influence that Aouchiche has had on recent games, particularly the Stoke City away defeat, where, despite the result, he looked to be the Black Cats’ main attacking threat.
Adil Aouchiche ability to adapt to wide role deserves recognition
When looking at the available options to Sunderland boss Le Bris in terms of players that could be utilised on the left flank, with the injuries handed to Romaine Mundle, Tommy Watson, and once again, Ian Poveda, the only solution looked like utilising Mayenda in his uncomfortable role.
However, not many could have expected to see Aouchiche grasp the role with both hands and make it his own, something that is a true testament to his character.
The fact that the Black Cats attacker has been this patient in waiting for his opportunity is worthy of praise on its own, but being thrown into the deep end in a role that was seemingly alien to him before, he has done so well to stamp his authority on the side and turn around his career on Wearside.