AliousRegis Le Bris’ honeymoon period as Sunderland’s manager has come to an abrupt end, with the team facing challenges after two consecutive away defeats. Despite these setbacks, the Black Cats have managed to maintain their second-place position in the early stages of the Championship season. However, their recent 2-1 loss to Watford at Vicarage Road has set alarm bells ringing among the Sunderland faithful, as several of the team’s key players failed to live up to expectations during the match.
While midfield talents Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg had uncharacteristically quiet games, it was the performance of team captain Dan Neil that came under the heaviest scrutiny. Neil’s late-game foul on Watford’s Kwadwo Baah resulted in a penalty kick that ultimately sealed Sunderland’s fate, costing them valuable points in their promotion push.
Neil’s form this season has been a cause for concern, despite Sunderland’s relatively high league standing. His disciplinary issues were highlighted by a red card in the match against Burnley towards the end of August, and this latest subpar showing against Tom Cleverley’s Watford side has only exacerbated worries about his consistency and leadership. The penalty incident was just the tip of the iceberg in what was an all-around poor performance from Neil. He struggled to maintain possession throughout the match, losing the ball an alarming 11 times and winning only three out of his 11 attempted duels. Even his attacking contribution was minimal, with just one shot on target doing little to offset his defensive lapses.
In light of this disappointing display, speculation is rife that Neil might find himself dropped from the starting lineup for Sunderland’s upcoming fixture against Derby County. This match is seen as a crucial opportunity for Le Bris’ squad to regain their footing and boost their confidence with a much-needed victory. The criticism of Neil’s performance was further amplified by a scathing 4/10 rating from Andy Tomlinson of the Roker Report, adding fuel to the rumors about his potential benching.
As Le Bris contemplates his options for the central midfield position, he finds his choices somewhat limited. Alan Browne, who was unavailable for selection against Watford due to fitness concerns, may be back in contention. However, there’s a growing sentiment that the French manager might opt for a more unconventional and potentially risky solution by turning to young prospect Tom Watson.
Watson, who has primarily featured as a left-winger, has shown impressive versatility in his performances for the Under-21 side in the Premier League 2 this season, demonstrating his capability to operate effectively in central midfield. At just 18 years of age, Watson could bring a fresh dynamic to the midfield, potentially forming a youthful and energetic trio alongside Rigg and Bellingham, both of whom have flourished under Le Bris’ guidance in the senior setup. It’s worth noting that Rigg is even younger than Watson, highlighting the manager’s willingness to trust in young talent.
While it seems unlikely that Watson would displace Mundle in the forward line, despite coming on as his substitute late in the Watford match, this unique opportunity in midfield could serve as the perfect avenue to integrate the highly-rated youngster into the first-team picture. Football journalist Josh Bunting has previously described Watson as “superb,” underlining the potential impact he could have if given the chance to shine.
Le Bris now faces a crucial decision. He could choose to stand by his captain, Neil, despite the recent lapse in judgment and poor form, banking on the player’s experience and leadership to guide the team through this rough patch. Alternatively, he might decide that a shake-up is necessary to reinvigorate the squad. In this scenario, the surprise inclusion of Watson in the starting eleven against Derby County could be seen as a bold, forward-thinking move aimed at injecting new energy and creativity into the team’s midfield.
This potential tactical shift not only highlights the depth of young talent at Sunderland but also demonstrates Le Bris’ adaptability and willingness to make tough decisions for the benefit of the team. As the Black Cats aim to solidify their promotion credentials, the coming weeks could prove pivotal in shaping the trajectory of their season and Le Bris’ tenure at the club.
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