It goes without saying that Eliezer Mayenda didn’t have the best of games in the defeat to Stoke, but Regis Le Bris has a very simple solution.
Sunderland fell to their first defeat in five games with the late loss against Stoke on Sunday evening, and Eliezer Mayenda has had his share of critics after his performance.
Mayenda ‘struggled’ against Stoke, and missed one absolutely golden opportunity to give his team the lead which has led to calls for Regis Le Bris to drop the youngster.
Luckily, there are plenty of players in the Sunderland squad eager to step in, and the answer to the Mayenda problem is glaringly obvious now.
Adil Aouchiche has cemented his place in Sunderland’s starting XI for now
While Mayenda may have been poor against Stoke, Adil Aouchiche earned praise from Sunderland fans for his display.
The French winger came in for Patrick Roberts on the right-hand side and showed once again that he has the quality and tenacity to be a useful player for Le Bris.
With Sheffield United up next, Le Bris will almost certainly lean on the experience of Roberts once more, with the 27-year-old likely to take up his spot on the right wing again.
That would mean Aouchiche having to shift out to the left, but he’s played there already this season, and to good effect, too.
Eliezer Mayenda needs to step out of the spotlight, but he’ll come back stronger
While those changes simply have to happen if Sunderland are to get anything from the game against the Blades, it’s important that we all remember Mayenda is still a very young player who does not need nor deserve a pile-on of any sort.
The Sunderland fans are entitled to air their grievances with any player who does not perform to the level expected, and Mayenda will surely pay the price with his starting spot now seemingly lost. But, he needs support more than anything now.
The Sunderland squad is stronger if players are given backing and encouragement, and Mayenda will no doubt benefit massively from this tough period he is experiencing.
Yes, the display against Stoke was disappointing, and Mayenda was also criticised for his performance against Blackburn on Boxing Day, but he has shown real signs of promise since coming into the team.
This season has been a big learning curve for the young players at Le Bris’ disposal, and Mayenda is no different. Back him, and he will come out the other side shining once more.