Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris once again left a star player in an uncomfortable position despite his previous pleas.
Sunderland drew 2-2 at the Stadium of Light, as Tom Cleverley’s side were close to conducting a smash-and-grab against the Black Cats, before Dennis Cirkin bagged a goal late on.
It was a poor showing all-around by Regis Le Bris’ side, who looked somewhat gutless in the final third for a second successive home clash, with the performance showing plenty of similarities to the draw against Plymouth Argyle.
One man who in particular looked off the pace was Wilson Isidor, who accumulated very few touches throughout the game, and much of this can be put down to one tactical decision by Le Bris.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris ignores Wilson Isidor formation concerns
Following the previous draw at home against Plymouth Argyle, Sunderland boss Le Bris was questioned over his decision to utilise Salis Abdul Samed from the off against a lower-level Championship outfit, which as a result meant that only one striker was played against the Pilgrims.
As a result of this, French attacker Isidor made his feelings clear over how isolated he felt in the formation, which excluded fellow attacker Eliezer Mayenda, who he had previously thrived alongside, as he said: “It’s true that sometimes when I play up front by myself I can feel a little bit alone. When Eliezer is playing with me, it brings more defenders onto him and creates more space for me to be able to run into. I like that.
Once again, Le Bris looked to utilise this set-up at home against a side there for taking, and it yet again saw the Frenchman’s side drop points at the Stadium of Light, showing that Isidor’s pleas of being utilised alongside Mayenda were not listened to.
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Regis Le Bris must learn to prioritise Wilson Isidor talents alongside tactic decision
There were stark similarities across both home clashes against Plymouth Argyle and Watford, and that was the sheer lack of coverage that Isidor was given on the ball, whether that was down to a limited amount of chances created, or the fact that Sunderland struggled to move the ball into the final third, leaving Isidor isolated as a result.
The Sunderland striker, who is comfortably the Black Cats top scorer this season was almost left as surplus to requirements because of the set-up, and it is clear now that, in order to get consistency from the attacker, he must be utilised in a front three, something that Le Bris will need to bring into his tactics, especially against out-of-form opposition, such as Watford and Plymouth Argyle.