Sunderland fans divided over Regis Le Bris’ tactics and side’s ‘worrying’ form ahead of Championship play-offs

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Sunderland supporters are torn at the moment with Regis Le Bris’ side on a three-game losing streak despite their Championship play-off place already being confirmed.

Since Sunderland confirmed their Championship play-off place earlier this month with a 0-0 draw at Norwich, Regis Le Bris’ side have endured an enormous downturn in form.

Their latest blow came in Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat against Blackburn in which Le Bris fielded a heavily rotated side including youngsters Harrison Jones and Joe Anderson.

Three defeats on the bounce, with only a singular goal scored and four shipped in the process, has seen Sunderland slip to 17th in the form table concerning the last five games.

Ahead of the season-defining Championship play-offs campaign, the Black Cats faithful have been divided as to whether Le Bris’ sacrifice of form for resting key players has been worth it.

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Sunderland supporters divided over form ahead of play-offs

The Black Cats may have enjoyed the lion’s share of possession against Rovers, but they looked toothless in attack and failed to create any clear-cut opportunities.

Sunderland’s lack of creativity has concerned Le Bris for weeks now, with first choice frontman Wilson Isidor suffering a goal drought of his own, at precisely the worst moment given the play-offs are only weeks away.

As ever, football is a game of opinions and the Sunderland fanbase can certainly be a polarising one, with Le Bris’ decision to prioritise players’ recovery over momentum and form the latest major talking point.

One Sunderland fan said: “Relegation form going into the play offs only Sunderland could appoint a manager who is actually happy with this”, as another agreed: “If we bomb in the play-offs I think questions will be asked… I’m annoyed with the performances”.

Another argued: “I’m losing every bit of confidence. Rotated team or not.

“The lack of goals lately is very worrying to me. We look properly toothless in attack. I want to believe we can turn it on in the playoffs but I honestly don’t think we are not scoring on purpose. We just aren’t being good enough on the attack.”

On a more positive note, some fans believe Le Bris’ insistence to rotate the Sunderland starting side before the play-offs is the correct call, especially given the likes of Enzo Le Fee and Jobe Bellingham are returning from injury.

One argued: “Form goes out the window in the play-offs”, as another said: “The last few weeks have been like warm up friendly before an international tournament, a benefit of which all the other teams in playoffs haven’t had!”

As another said: “I personally think le bris has given us no reason to doubt him if he thinks the way he’s doing this run in is correct I have 100% confidence that it is the way to do it”.

Le Bris’ tactics and selection have certainly split opinion over the last three defeats, but it’s clear now that the rotational roulette must come to an end ahead of the Oxford United trip on Saturday.

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Regis Le Bris must change Sunderland tactics before play-offs

Chris Rigg was adamant after the Rovers defeat that Sunderland will “show” their rivals their best football now, with Le Bris expecting an almost fully-fit squad by the time the play-offs arrive next month.

Le Bris himself has demanded a “shift” from Sunderland now ahead of the play-offs, turning attention from rest and recouperation to “play-off mode”.

Sunderland’s absence of creativity has been a concern for weeks, with the goals drying up of late. The Black Cats have scored only three goals in their last seven games, which is certainly more akin to relegation form than a side hoping to earn Premier League promotion.

Le Bris’ conservative tactics have reduced injury risks, but caused some sections of the Sunderland supporter base to question his side’s play-off prospects.

Only time will tell if the Frenchman has made the right decision, but one way for certain to quell some fans’ doubts is to put Oxford United to the sword on Saturday.