One issue that Sunderland previously suffered with last time out vs Leeds United has surely been rectified ahead of their upcoming meeting.
The Black Cats will travel to Elland Road on Monday night in what promises to be a massive game that will shape the landscape of the Championship promotion picture.
After the recent home win against Luton Town, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris will be hoping that his side can put up a fight against the side currently sat 2nd in the Championship, only behind Sheffield United by one point, but with a game in hand.
Sunderland’s previous clash with Leeds United saw the Yorkshire-based side look to see the game out at the Stadium of Light until an Ilian Meslier blunder handed a point to the Black Cats. A draw was a fair outcome for the game as it was clear that Sunderland lacked something, but they have surely ended that trouble after the January transfer window.
Sunderland had ‘fragility’ concerns last time out vs Leeds United but January window has corrected that
The Black Cats currently sit seven points behind fellow promotion contenders Leeds United. This characterises how much of a brilliant debut season it has been for Le Bris on Wearside, competing also with the likes of Burnley and Sheffield United, who have the benefit of parachute payments on their side.
Because of the lack of parachute payments and backing in comparison to the likes of Leeds United, comparing their squad with Sunderland back in October when the two sides previously met, it was clear that squad depth and quality-wise, it was a mismatch.
Following the 2-2 draw last year, former Sunderland man Marco Gabbiadini said: “The depth they’ve got, where last season [Wilfried] Gnonto didn’t start a huge number of games because they had so much talent ahead of him, but when that talent goes they’ve got people like him to step up.
“That’s what you’re getting with a Leeds United and probably if they were challenging halfway through the season and they needed some gaps filling, they’d probably have the money to invest then as well.
“There is a fragility about this group, and it’s not a criticism of anybody, it’s just the strength in depth of so many teams in this league, and how long the season is.”
Comparing the Sunderland squad to when they previously faced off against Leeds United, it is clear that one Black Cats man will be crucial to ensuring that Le Bris’ side on this occasion aren’t fragile.
Enzo Le Fee signing will make significant impact for the Black Cats that was not evident last time out
In the January transfer window, there weren’t many bigger signings in the Championship, let alone on Wearside, than the deal to sign Frenchman Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma.
The attacking midfielder, who has been utilised more on the left flank since his arrival, has already shown his immense quality, which was embodied last time out against Luton Town.
In the reverse fixture against Leeds United, Sunderland opted for Romaine Mundle on the left flank, who was thriving before his untimely injury. However, Leeds United man Jayden Bogle was able to cope with the Sunderland attacker by matching him for pace, therefore limiting one of Mundle’s key attributes.
In the upcoming clash, coming up against Le Fee will be a completely different task for the Leeds United man, as the Sunderland signing’s awareness, passing ability, and creativity will be difficult to work against, as has been proven in recent games with the Frenchman thriving.