Sunderland expert weighs in on Regis Le Bris’ striker selection dilemma ahead of clash vs Blackburn Rovers

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Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has a selection dilemma with his striking options for the upcoming clash against Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday.

In light of Bristol City’s 2-1 win over Sunderland, Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris has a new selection dilemma on his hands, in the goalscoring department.

Sunderland’s top scorer Wilson Isidor has been Le Bris’ first-choice frontman this season, but Eliezer Mayenda continues to impress after his breathtaking solo goal against the Robins.

Luke O’Nien dubbed Mayenda as ‘incredible’ after he dribbled the ball 70 yards, beat five Bristol City defenders, and fired past Max O’Leary to open the scoring on Friday.

With left-winger Tommy Watson in a poor run of form, and Mayenda battling to dislodge Isidor from the starting XI, one Sunderland expert has shared his opinion on Le Bris’ striker selection dilemma.

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Sunderland expert weighs in on Regis Le Bris striker selection dilemma

Isidor and Mayenda have both enjoyed stellar seasons for Sunderland, with 27 combined goal contributions between the forward duo this term under Le Bris.

12-goal Isidor has tended to start as the centre-forward whenever he features, with versatile Mayenda able to drift out-wide or play as the second striker.

With first-choice left-winger Romaine Mundle sidelined until the play-offs, and Brighton-bound Watson anonymous of late, the debate has circled amongst Sunderland supporters whether Le Bris should start Isidor off the left and keep Mayenda up-front for Monday’s clash against Blackburn Rovers.

Frenchman Isidor has played 34 career games as a left-winger during his time in the Russian Premier League, and on paper should be a dangerous winger in Le Bris’ system, given his physical assets and ample finishing ability.

When asked about the potential of a new role for Isidor, chief Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith said: “This is a really interesting question, I would like to see it. I think that Le Bris definitely sees Isidor as a striker.

“I think one of the things he decided quite early was that the pace of the game, the intensity, Isidor’s ability to run him behind and stretch the game, he thought was really well suited to playing up-front in the Championship.

“I think that he’d be really, really loathed to move him in the play-off campaign. I think if Isidor’s on the pitch, he wants him up front.”

Isidor has failed to find the net in his last ten appearances, with his last goal coming in the defeat at Leeds United, and Sunderland fans lamented his performances of late.

Smith added: “However, I do totally agree in that it’s a position he’s played before, it’s potentially a position where you’re going to be slight on options so why not try it?

“So I do agree with that, I think it might be a really good idea just to try it a little bit and see what it looks like.

“I think it’s unlikely is my point I think that Le Bris sees especially in the Championship, Isidor still very much as a centre-forward.”

Le Bris himself is pleased with the healthy competition between the duo, and has implied he is reticent to start both Isidor and Mayenda ahead of the upcoming play-offs.

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Wilson Isidor should start over Tommy Watson for Sunderland vs Blackburn

Le Bris told SAFC.com after the Bristol City loss: “We have two strong strikers with different qualities. With Wilson, a little bit more in behind and with Eli (Mayenda), he has an ability to keep the ball under pressure.
 
“To have two different players at such a high level is really positive. One can start and the other can finish the game, and we have to balance the game time at the moment.”

Given Isidor and Mayenda are the only two fit centre-forwards Sunderland have in their ranks, Le Bris is evidently cautious over playing them both against Blackburn Rovers, and risk an injury to either forward for the upcoming play-off campaign.

However, given Watson’s lacklustre displays amid his impending £10m summer move to Brighton, and Isidor’s need to return to goalscoring form for the season-defining fixtures, it could be a useful time to experiment given Sunderland’s play-off fate is already certain.

Mayenda’s emphatic centre-forward play akin to his Robins goal, combined with Isidor’s pace and prowess bearing down on defenders, would certainly strike fear into any second tier backline.