AliousWilson Isidor found himself at the center of an unusually negative discussion following Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Preston on Tuesday night—an uncommon occurrence for a player who is typically praised by fa Coventry
Sunderland’s Struggles Continue in Promotion Race
Sunderland endured another frustrating home result against a weaker opponent, adding to the growing list of disappointing outings for Regis Le Bris’ side in 2025. The match remained goalless in the first half before Emil Riis put Preston ahead. A stunning goal from Romaine Mundle salvaged a point, but Sunderland’s fight for automatic promotion is becoming increasingly challenging.
Currently sitting in fourth place, Sunderland trails Burnley, who occupy third, by six points. While they maintain a comfortable 13-point lead over Coventry sixth, concerns are mounting that the team could be heading toward another painful play-off campaign. To avoid this fate, key players need to step up, and none more so than the team’s top scorer, Wilson Isidor.
Isidor Criticized After Missed Opportunity
Following the draw, Isidor was the name on many fans’ lips—not for his usual goal-scoring prowess, but for a crucial miss that could have secured a much-needed victory. In the first half, the 24-year-old found himself unmarked in the box but failed to convert a simple header from six yards out, sending the ball wide.
Isidor was partnered with Eliezer Mayenda in the starting lineup, marking his return after being rested for two consecutive games. In Isidor’s absence, Mayenda had stepped up, leading Sunderland to back-to-back wins.
Former Sunderland striker Gary Bennett, speaking on *Total Sport*, highlighted the contrast between the two forwards. He praised Mayenda’s energy and work rate, while expressing disappointment in Isidor’s lack of impact.
“I think the partnership can work, but when you look at them individually, you start questioning things. Mayenda put in a real shift—he worked hard, caused problems for the opposition. But Isidor? I just felt he struggled to get into the game,”* Bennett remarked.
“It seems like everything has to be created for him, put on a plate. He’s not the type to chase down the channels or carve out his own chances. Mayenda, on the other hand, looked bright and at least forced the defenders into uncomfortable situations.”*
Marco Gabbiadini’s Advice Rings True
Before the Preston match, former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini shared some thoughts on both Mayenda and Isidor. His comments now seem particularly relevant in light of Isidor’s missed opportunity.
*”It’s tough—sometimes the spotlight is intense. You can watch a chance back instantly in the stadium now. I scored plenty of goals, but I missed a lot too. The key is to move on quickly. The best strikers are the ones who continue searching for the next opportunity instead of shying away after a miss,”* Gabbiadini said.
While Isidor is likely to shake off his missed header, his overall performance against Preston did little to help his case. As Bennett pointed out, despite possessing both pace and physical strength, he doesn’t stretch defenses by running the channels—an area where Mayenda excels.
That said, Isidor remains a talented finisher, particularly with his feet. If he can refine other aspects of his game, Sunderland could have a real star on their hands. However, with the promotion battle intensifying, he must start delivering in all areas if he hopes to be the difference-maker in Sunderland’s push for a Premier League return.
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