Luke O’Nien Sunderland statistic proves Regis Le Bris’ ‘great example’ claim correct

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Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien is ranked amongst some of the Championship’s best in an imperative metric.

Sunderland return to Championship action following the latest international break, with Regis Le Bris’ side preparing for the visit of Alex Neil’s Millwall on Saturday afternoon.

The Black Cats currently sit fourth in the Championship table, firmly wedged in the middle of the top-six frame, with the hopes of automatic promotion almost certainly out of the equation.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	38	23	11	4	76	25	51	80
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	38	25	7	6	53	28	25	80
3	BurnleyBurnley	38	21	15	2	52	11	41	78
4	SunderlandSunderland	38	19	12	7	55	37	18	69
5	CoventryCoventry	38	17	8	13	55	48	7	59
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57

Prior to the international fixtures, Sunderland lost 3-0 at Coventry in an uncharacteristically poor display, one which Le Bris’ side must remedy with a commanding home victory over the Lions.

One Sunderland star set to start on Saturday is club veteran Luke O’Nien, who has ranked impressively high amongst the Championship’s best for a key statistic that is imperative for the Black Cats’ playing-style.

• READ MORE: Sunderland receive major injury boost ahead of the upcoming Millwall clash

Sunderland ace Luke O’Nien ranks as one of Championship’s best long-passers

Central-defender O’Nien has featured in 37 of Sunderland’s 38 league games so far this term – taking his total club tally to 303 – most often paired alongside Chris Mepham, who enjoyed a ‘strong’ display for Wales on national duty.

O’Nien is the epitome of the modern-day centre-back, being as capable in-possession as he is defensively, with the former Wycombe man ranking among the league’s best in his position for tackles won (31) and interceptions (40).

Aside from his defensive capabilities, O’Nien is one of the best passers in the league with the Sunderland star tallying at second-best for Championship outfielders who’ve completed the most accurate long passes per game at an average of 4.4. Burnley ace CJ Egan-Riley is the only second-tier talent to trump O’Nien in this key metric with an average of 5.2 per game.

O’Nien’s ability to switch the direction of attacks and break the lines with long forward passes is a pivotal component to Sunderland’s attacking play. Boss Le Bris has put his technique and development down to his character off the field.

Regis Le Bris believes Sunderland ace Luke O’Nien sets a ‘great example’

Le Bris has previously told SAFC.com that: “Luke wants to learn, even after 300 appearances for the Club, he still has that desire to improve. He’s a role model, a great example of the learning process every football player must go through.”

O’Nien has nailed down the centre-back position at Sunderland, having featured in almost every other position apart from goalkeeper since the utility man’s arrival in 2018, improving every season he features for the Black Cats so much so that O’Nein made his 300th Sunderland appearance in March.

Ranking higher than one of the most widely-recognised best passers in the league, Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan, for the long passing metric is one modicum of many ways the now 30-year-old has grown as a player.

Le Bris’ praise for Sunderland club legend O’Nien has been proven correct once more and the Frenchman will be relying on the ever-present defender to help lead Sunderland to promotion this season, starting with a victory over Millwall this weekend.