Sunderland may not have expected to be top of the Championship table in time for the November international break. But they are.
Albeit, Sunderland have been hanging on a bit in recent weeks, but the Black Cats have certainly enjoyed a promising start to life under Regis Le Bris.
Le Bris was appointed at Sunderland during the summer and he’s so far put 31 points on the board, overseeing 15 league games.
Last time out, Sunderland drew 2-2 with Coventry City in what was a disappointing result, with the Black Cats having led 2-0 at half-time.
It suggests that a couple of cracks might be appearing in this Black Cats side as they vie for a return to the Premier League, coming up to eight years since their relegation from the top flight.
Here we look at three things Le Bris has got right at Sunderland this season, but two things he’s got wrong…
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Moving Wilson Isidor into the middle – right
Sunderland seem to have landed on a prolific no.9 after several transfer windows of trying and failing to do so.
Wilson Isidor is scoring some spectacular goals for Sunderland right now, and his fine form in the side comes after Le Bris decided to deploy the Frenchman as an out and out no.9, rather than on the left.
Speaking earlier in the season, Le Bris said Isidor could play on the left for Sunderland, and he has on occasion, but with little impact.
The decision to play Isidor in the middle has proved fruitful. The Zenit loan man has five goals in 12 Championship outings so far.
Coventry City substitutions were frustrating – wrong
The draw against Coventry City at the Stadium of Light was certainly disappointing. And after the game, Sunderland fans criticised Le Bris for his substitutions in that game.
He made one or two confusing calls; bringing Dan Ballard onto the pitch for Alan Browne when Milan Aleksic was on the bench, and bringing Aaron Connolly on for Romaine Mundle, when natural left-winger Tommy Watson was on the bench.
Perhaps in-game changes is something for Le Bris to improve as the season goes on.
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Milan Aleksic exile is getting more and more worrying – wrong
Following on from the above point: Le Bris’ continued exile of deadline day signing Aleksic is becoming quite a concern.
Sunderland signed Aleksic on deadline day last summer, making him the club’s most expensive signing of the Kyril Louis-Dreyfus area.
But he’s yet to get off the bench. Speaking to Sunderland Echo at the start of November, Le Bris said of the Serbian: “We are working on it. He still needs time, but I am sure he will have some opportunities to get on the pitch for us soon.”
Le Bris also added that the language was an issue for Aleksic, who is only 19 years old. But if we don’t see the midfielder before January then there could be inevitable calls to loan him out, or to simply give him his chance.
Giving Chris Rigg more trust at Sunderland – right
One of the highlights of Sunderland’s season so far has been the revelation of Chris Rigg, who showed glimpses of a really class player last season, but has blossomed under Le Bris.
During pre-season, there was still uncertainty about how much he’d feature this season. But Le Bris’ complete trust in the 17-year-old has given the club yet another very valuable player asset, and one that could net the club a huge fee in the years, or even months, to come.
Patrick Roberts show of faith has paid dividends – right
Le Bris has also shown a degree of trust in Patrick Roberts. Roberts was poor for Sunderland last season and going into this new campaign, he really needed to prove his worth.
Like with Rigg, Le Bris showed a lot of trust in Roberts who’s played in all 15 Championship games this season, scoring once and assisting three.
More goals would be ideal, but Roberts has looked like his best self under Le Bris this season, arguably being like a new signing for the Black Cats after his rather woeful 2023/24 season.