Sunderland star was crucial in ensuring struggling teammate was back to his best, he must repeat one thing vs Coventry

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One Sunderland player brilliantly helped one fellow teammate return to form in the first leg against Coventry City, something that must be replicated in the upcoming tie.

Sunderland kicked off their Championship play-off campaign with a crucial away victory against Coventry City, with Regis Le Bris outclassing Frank Lampard tactically.

Defensively, there was much to admire about the Black Cats showing, with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard putting in a monstrous performance at the back, but credit deserves to go to the entire side for pulling off Le Bris’ tactical set-up by defending vigilantly.

In the final third, Sunderland didn’t have too many opportunities at goal, but made it count, with Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor finding the back of the net; a surprise considering the fact that the Black Cats had only scored once in the previous six.

Isidor finding the back of the net was certainly crucial for his confidence, and this feat can partly come down to the performance of one teammate who was instrumental in ensuring that the Frenchman returned to the scoresheet.

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Sunderland star Enzo Le Fee helped play to Wilson Isidor’s strengths vs Coventry City

Sunderland’s opening goal at the CBS Arena came against the run of play in the second half with Enzo Le Fee picking up the ball and sending a through-ball onto the fleety Isidor, who was able to use his pace to get into a decent area before dispatching a brilliant finish past the Coventry shot-stopper.

The goal was a trademark Isidor move that ultimately played to his strengths of running off the shoulder of the last man, something that simply hasn’t happened enough in the second half of the season.

In recent months, Isidor has been isolated in the final third because of the emphasis in Le Bris’ set-up moving away from through balls, which ultimately leaves the French striker surplus to requirements to some extent.

Le Fee crucially noticed the darting run from Isidor, which unsurprisingly gave Isidor a crucial opening to break his goalscoring duck.

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Regis Le Bris must ensure that Black Cats squad follow suit by playing to Wilson Isidor’s strengths

Sunderland’s fortunes in front of goal have simply been non-existent recently, and it was a surprise to see them find the back of the net twice against Coventry, but it now must be followed up at the Stadium of Light.

Le Bris set up his side brilliantly from a defensive angle, but he must ensure that he once again explains the importance in finding Isidor in such positions to help him play to his strengths as Le Fee did in the recent win.

It hasn’t been the case recently, but Isidor has the ability to be the difference maker for Sunderland, but that will only be achieved if Le Bris ensures that long balls and through balls are prioritised when the Black Cats inevitably look to hit Coventry on the counter-attack.