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Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could have one selection surprise lined up that wouldn’t go down well with supporters.
Sunderland host Coventry City on Tuesday evening in the Championship play-off semi-final.
The first leg saw Sunderland surprisingly out-tactic Frank Lampard’s Coventry City, with Regis Le Bris bringing the best out of Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor, with both strikers bagging a goal each.
Sunderland, whilst we have become accustomed to top defensive showings, have been fruitless at times in front of goal, having scored just once in the final six games of the regular Championship season. It was a welcome surprise to see the Black Cats so clinical, with Enzo Le Fee playing a crucial role in unlocking Isidor’s quality.
Going into the second leg against Coventry City, Sunderland will have a one-goal lead to cling to, which as a result could see Le Bris make personnel changes, one of which would certainly not be received well by supporters.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris could make the unpopular decision of starting Tommy Watson vs Coventry City
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Le Bris instruct his side to cling onto their one-goal advantage at the Stadium of Light, especially with the defensive quality that they have, such as Sunderland star Dan Ballard, who was immense last time out against the Sky Blues.
Because of this, Le Bris could make the decision to swap either Mayenda or Isidor out for young Sunderland winger Tommy Watson.
Watson’s inclusion would see Le Bris deploy a more regimented formation, with Le Fee joining the centre of the park, with potentially Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham.
Sunderland attacker Watson showed glimpses of great quality earlier on in the season, but since his agreed deal to join Premier League side Brighton next season, he has been a shadow of his former self, something that has attracted stick from Black Cats fans.
Tommy Watson inclusion could help bring the best out of one key teammate
Whilst Watson’s potential inclusion wouldn’t be too popular amongst Sunderland fans, there would be the silver lining of Le Fee being moved more centrally.
If playing through the middle, Sunderland will be able to get the Frenchman on the ball far more often, where, like he successfully did in the first leg, he can try and find an attacker darting forward, who he can meet with a pinpoint through ball to play in on goal.
Le Fee will certainly be crucial to ensuring that Sunderland can see off Coventry at the Stadium of Light, whether he plays on the left or through the middle, and no matter who he plays alongside, the instructions should be clear – get him in space and he will be able to play that pivotal ball to open up the opposition defence.