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Sunderland were beaten 2-0 at Oxford United on Saturday afternoon in a performance that proved head coach Regis Le Bris’ pre-game selection comments wrong.
With a place in the Championship play-offs already confirmed, Sunderland were beaten 2-0 at Oxford United on Saturday afternoon, on a worrying afternoon for Regis Le Bris.
Sunderland’s starting eleven was almost deemed as full-strength, barring Dennis Cirkin still only fit enough to make the bench, in their penultimate game of the regular Championship season.
However, that strength on paper was not translated onto the Oxford pitch, as goals from Ben Nelson and Michal Helik secured a comfortable and commanding victory for Gary Rowett’s side.
In an ironic turn of events, Le Bris’ pre-game comments turned out to majorly backfire with the performance submitted in the 2-0 defeat, which boded major concern for their play-off campaign.
Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland claim before Oxford United clash backfires
Le Bris’ approach has worried fans since their play-offs fate was confirmed, with the Black Cats opting to rest and rotate key players at the behest of form, with the aim of having a fully-fit squad to call on for the play-off campaign.
Their defeat on Easter Monday against Blackburn Rovers was their third on the spin, which prompted Le Bris to demand a “shift” from his squad for the final two league clashes, starting with Oxford United.
However, the only gear change has seen Sunderland go into full-steam reverse, with the U’s loss now their fourth in a row ahead of their final day QPR fixture.
When explaining his selection process pre-match, Le Bris told Sunderland’s media: “The best Sunderland as possible, I think.
“We managed the squad in the last games to be in that position, and it’s not the definitive starting eleven or squad, because we’ll have two weeks again to prepare for the play-offs.
“But we are 100 per cent focused on that game and trying to be the best Sunderland as possible, and trying to win.”
He explained after the game: “We weren’t at the level required. This wasn’t our story today, but it’s a very strong reminder.”
An almost full-strength starting eleven for Sunderland must offer far better than 69% possession amounting to a grand total of zero shots on target, with an expected goals rate of just 0.45, against a bottom-half outfit.,
If that was Sunderland’s “best”, then their play-off hopes are even more worrying than their history would suggest, with their current form a glaring area of concern with the first leg only weeks away.
Sunderland’s worrying form heading into play-offs
Excitement and anticipation for the semi-final have been masqueraded by fears over form.
Le Bris has taken Southampton’s approach as inspiration, with their form faltering last season ahead of the play-offs but managing to turn it around in the season-defining fixtures.
If the Black Cats continue their current run of form into the semi finals, they’ll barely make it out of the first leg. One point from last 15 on offer, one goal scored, six conceded all against teams below them in the table.
Sunderland are risking losing a handful of stars if they fail to earn promotion, and currently are comprising the most crucial period of their campaign.
Play-off final winners? Relegation form is more appropriate. Momentum and performance levels can’t be turned on and off as a light switch can. Le Bris must find the answers and get Sunderland out of their worst form of the whole season.
The Frenchman has played with fire in his selection over recent weeks, and now his side must rise from the ashes and rediscover their best ahead of their play-off campaign.