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Sunderland star Chris Rigg shares an important reminder to Championship rivals ahead of play-off campaign with the Black Cats in a poor run of form.
Since Sunderland’s place in the Championship play-offs was made mathematically secure, their performances and results have suffered multiple blows.
Three defeats on the spin, most recently the 1-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers, and scoring only once in the process is concerning form with the play-off campaign looming.
Regis Le Bris has made clear that Sunderland’s mindset will shift from rest and recuperation of key players to charging full steam ahead at the play-offs.
Teenage talisman Chris Rigg has revealed what the Black Cats want to “show” their fellow Premier League hopefuls, starting with Oxford United on Saturday.
Chris Rigg reveals Sunderland’s ambition ahead of Championship play-offs
Despite the lion’s share of possession, Sunderland looked toothless on Easter Monday, with no cutting edge or dynamism to their attacking play.
Two shots on target, zero big chances created, and 58% of the ball saw Le Bris’ side fail to hurt Rovers who secured all three points thanks to a Tyrhys Dolan goal that was their only shot on target.
Rigg himself entered the fold as a second-half substitute, and tried for all his might to inject some tenacity into Sunderland’s midfield after a full-blooded challenge with Adam Forshaw, and after the game revealed the Black Cats’ focus for the remainder of the campaign on the back of three defeats.
Rigg told SAFC.com: “I thought the young boys were really good, we just lacked that final touch and they got it.
“It’s another defeat which isn’t great but hopefully we can turn the switch and go into the play-offs firing and ready to go.
“I think it’s a great achievement what we’ve done this season. We’ve secured fourth place with many games to go.
“We’ve just got to believe how good we are. We need the fans to follow us as they always do and we take it into the play-offs and show everyone how good we really are.”
Rigg’s reminder of what he and his Sunderland teammates must show is timely, given they’ve picked up one point from the last 12 on offer, and it begs the question of how Le Bris should approach selection for the upcoming visit to Oxford United.
Regis Le Bris must play full strength Sunderland starting XI vs Oxford United
Sunderland’s play-off history makes for worrying reading, and they can’t afford to head into the season-defining set of fixtures by continuing their negative run of form.
Le Bris has sacrificed points and momentum over the last handful of games to ensure that he can field a fully-fit squad for the play-offs, hedging his bets on selection over momentum.
However, the time for rotation is now over as his Black Cats side must get back to their best, particularly in attack, with the goals drying up.
Sunderland have scored only two goals in five games, with big chances more hard to come by then points for Le Bris’ side currently.
The likes of Enzo Le Fee and Jobe Bellingham have been rested of late, but must return to the starting eleven against Oxford on Saturday, to ensure the Black Cats get back to their best before it is too late.