Regis Le Bris has created something special at Sunderland, and it is a testament to the manager's success in instilling a club-wide belief that the 4-3 defeat at Aston Villa is viewed in a positive light.
Tammy Abraham may have left the Mackems in the lead as he scored the last goal at Villa Park to destroy Sunderland's quick fire late on, but this is the spirit and unity that was missing from previous Premier League campaigns at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland treading water eagerly in those last few years before being dragged down and down League One.
|
Sunderland Premier League Latest Finish |
||
|---|---|---|
|
The season |
Points |
League position |
|
25/26 |
46 |
11 of |
|
16/17 |
24 |
20 |
|
15/16 |
39 |
17 of |
|
14/15 |
38 |
16 |
|
13/14 |
38 |
14 |
|
12/13 |
39 |
17 of |
However, the 4-3 defeat does not come without criticism, and not all in the colors of the Black Cats left the Villans stadium happy. Luke O'Nien, for example, had another poor performance at fullback, and probably needs to go back to the bench.
Le Bris needs to bench Sunderland's O'Nien
Sunderland have been brilliant this season, but the strength of the team will be looking to go forward and not backwards. They need to keep building, and sadly, that could mean O'Nien's days at the club are numbered.
The 31-year-old has been at Sunderland since 2018, but is no longer among the most important players, as he competes in the Premier League with a top-flight outfit that exposes his weaknesses. Aerially, for example, is not strong enough against high-level opponents, winning only 38% of his battles.
O'Nien has only started four top flight games, but Le Bris needs the younger players to step in and perform at a high level, truth be told, the veteran was at fault on more than one occasion during Aston Villa's treacherous defeat.
He has been a decent performer for the Wearsiders this season, but Sunderland need to find an upgrade this summer if they are to progress and enjoy a very impressive campaign going forward.
However, for now, Granit Xhaka needs to be released from the new team.
Sunderland must get O'Nien out of the next Xhaka
Sunderland will finish comfortably at the heart of the Premier League pack. Getting a ticket to Europe seems unlikely, but nevertheless, this is a unique foundation that the Black Cats will build on from the next few years.
Xhaka, 33, has been instrumental in fixing the club for the big time, but he won't be around forever, and it sounds like Dan Ballard will take his place as Le Bris' leader on the pitch.
He may not be the captain of the team, but Ballard is one of the main targets at the Stadium of Light, and his absence due to injury has been felt well in the last few weeks, even as Sunderland beat Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur without him.
O'Nien did a good job, but he doesn't boast about the body or strength of the 23-year-old and Omar Alderrete. Considered the “diamond” of defense by former manager Tony Mowbray, he is among the most important cogs in the system.
He won 59% of his duels and averaged 6.7 clearances per game. What's more, he commands his box admirably, and you have to say he would have faced Ollie Watkins with more confidence than O'Nien at Villa Park.
Even after last year's summer changes, Sunderland still need to keep playing as they work for a team capable of pushing the top of the Premier League.
Xhaka has been the absolute leader of a rising Sunderland side. However, Ballard appears to be a legend, and his absence in recent weeks has underscored just how important he is.
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