AliousSunderland manager Regis Le Bris finds himself facing a welcome dilemma when it comes to selecting his starting striker: should he stick with the in-form Eliezer Mayenda or recall top scorer Wilson Isidor?
At the moment, Mayenda appears to have the edge. The 19-year-old has been handed starts in Sunderland’s last two matches and has taken full advantage of the opportunity, netting twice against Sheffield Wednesday before adding another goal in the Black Cats’ 2-1 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday. His recent form has taken his Championship goal tally to seven for the season—an impressive breakthrough campaign, especially considering he failed to register a single goal or assist in his eight league appearances last term.
Le Bris made a bold decision against Cardiff by leaving Isidor, the club’s leading scorer, on the bench for a second consecutive match. While the French striker was initially rested against Sheffield Wednesday, he has since been used only as a substitute in both recent games. However, Sunderland’s back-to-back wins following two league defeats have solidified their position in 4th place, maintaining a 13-point cushion over 6th-placed West Brom and strengthening their playoff ambitions.
With Preston set to visit the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, Le Bris has hinted that Mayenda may retain his starting spot. Speaking after the Cardiff victory, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a striker’s momentum when they are in good form, praising Mayenda’s sharpness, confidence, and strong connection with the team. The manager highlighted the team’s first goal against Cardiff as an example, stressing that it was a well-worked move rather than an individual effort from Mayenda.
Despite this, Le Bris is clearly pleased with the depth he now has in attack. Before the Cardiff game, he spoke about the healthy competition between Mayenda and Isidor, noting that the two strikers complement each other well and even play together at times. He sees their differing styles and hardworking attitudes as a major positive for the squad, particularly as the club enters the crucial final stretch of the season with the possibility of a playoff campaign on the horizon.
With the striker position having been a weak point for Sunderland earlier in the season, having two in-form forwards available at such a key time is a major boost. All eyes will now be on Le Bris’ selection for the Preston clash, which kicks off at 7:45 pm on Tuesday, as the Black Cats look to continue their push for promotion.
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