AliousSunderland manager Regis Le Bris will have his eye on two key Plymouth Argyle players ahead of their Championship clash this weekend.
The Black Cats will host Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light, looking to secure a second consecutive league win and extend their unbeaten run to five matches. With Plymouth winless in their last 14 Championship games, Sunderland will be optimistic about their chances on home turf.
However, Le Bris won’t underestimate the Pilgrims, now managed by Miron Muslic after Wayne Rooney’s departure. While Plymouth’s form has been dismal, there’s one player who could pose a threat that Sunderland must be prepared to neutralize: Darko Gyabi.
### Sunderland Must Be Wary of Darko Gyabi
In a struggling Plymouth side, 20-year-old midfielder Darko Gyabi stands out as a creative force. Despite limited goal contributions this season—just two in 24 starts—Gyabi’s strengths lie in his passing ability. According to SofaScore, the young midfielder boasts an impressive 79% passing accuracy in the opposition half and an overall accuracy of 83%, numbers that belie Plymouth’s position at the bottom of the table.
While Gyabi’s defensive skills aren’t his main asset, he can still be a disruptive presence in midfield if he’s on form. Le Bris will need to ensure his team minimizes Gyabi’s influence by closing down spaces and dominating possession in the middle of the park.
### Exploiting Plymouth’s Weak Link: Ryan Hardie
On the flip side, Sunderland could target Plymouth’s struggling striker, Ryan Hardie. The Scottish forward has endured a torrid campaign, managing just one goal in the league despite an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.59. Hardie has also missed four big chances this season and contributes minimally to Plymouth’s build-up play, averaging just 3.5 passes per game.
Hardie’s lack of form makes him a weak link in Plymouth’s attack, giving Sunderland an opportunity to press high and play with a more aggressive setup. Le Bris may feel confident deploying an attacking lineup, knowing his defense should be able to handle the minimal threat posed by Hardie.
### The Key to Victory
If Sunderland can neutralize Gyabi’s creative spark and exploit Hardie’s lack of impact, they’ll be well-positioned to claim all three points. With their sights set on climbing the Championship table, the Black Cats must approach this match with focus and confidence, ensuring they don’t fall victim to any unexpected threats from a struggling Plymouth side.
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