Depending on your perspective, this week has been either a plus for Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland or a sign of a probable drop-off. On paper, the 0-0 draw with Queens Park Rangers seems lackluster, but it is made all the more stunning when you realize that the Black Cats played the final half hour in West London with 10 men after Jobe Bellingham was sent off.
A second consecutive draw four days later at Preston North End, however, keeps the deficit at the top of the standings at only two points. However, it extends Sunderland’s unbeaten Championship record to seven games, tying them with Sheffield United for the lead in clean sheets with nine each. Regis Le Bris has lauded Simon Moore’s performances during Anthony Patterson’s absence. The experienced goalkeeper has performed admirably when called upon in recent weeks. And, as a fairly dominant Preston side piled up the shots – 11 before halftime alone – Sunderland needed Moore to turn back the years. Emil Riis lined up a curling shot from outside the error, and the 34-year-old gloveman stretched to knock it away.
Simon Moore helps Sunderland avert defeat to Preston North End. Le Bris, who concedes that his Sunderland side had been vulnerable to long-range attempts as they sought to prevent Preston from cramming the penalty area, was quick to thank Simon Moore with ensuring Sunderland avoided the same fate as fellow promotion contenders Leeds United in midweek. “This is very significant. “You need your goalkeeper to make saves because you can’t protect everything,” Le Bris said after the game. “We struggled to apply pressure due to their direct style of play. Then we adjusted our shape to restrict the number of long balls and second balls, allowing us to face longer shots. In that event, we know we have a capable goalie to make such a save.”
Sunderland now leads Daniel Farke’s team by four points following Leeds’ 1-0 defeat at Millwall. However, the distance between themselves and Sheffield United is only two points, with a clash between the Blades and the Black Cats scheduled for late November. Sunderland also have Coventry, Millwall, and West Brom to face before then. A four-game stretch might go a long way toward determining whether Le Bris’ team is the genuine deal in the championship race. Regis Le Bris explained why he dropped Patrick Roberts Le Bris, meanwhile, defended his choice to rotate the Sunderland front line. Patrick Roberts was dropped to the bench, while Aaron Connolly and Tommy Watson started, while Wilson Isidor was moved to the wing.
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom praised Romaine Mundle for helping Sunderland move on from Jack Clarke this summer, but he, too, was given a spectator’s role at Deepdale. “We are unhappy since this was not the performance we had hoped for. But, in the end, it’s a point,” says the former FC Lorient coach, after Le Bris set Sunderland’s title-winning points target of about 90. “It’s a long league with numerous games throughout the week. We must manage the team and squad, as well as provide opportunities for other players, because we will undoubtedly need them.
“We also need to manage the others since they can grow fatigued and we need them in top shape. We understand that [Roberts] is a significant strength that we will undoubtedly lose. But it was assumed that the final 30 minutes would be for him, and I believe we shifted the game’s flow at that point. “[Isidor] is a young player who needs the opportunity to adapt [to play out wide]. He has worked for the team. Obviously, that wasn’t his best performance, but that’s to be expected given that he needs time.
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