<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=103lJ6_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=103lJ6_0w1EwWwd00" width="820" height="1093" ></figure><p>Following the weekend results, Sunderland went into the second international break of the season sat at the top of the Championship table after a last gasp point against Leeds United on Friday, how did Le Bris’ side fair and what was different to the fixture last season? </p><p>First and foremost, as far as Friday Night fixtures go you couldn’t have asked for a better selection as a fan of either side. Leeds fans had a short away trip after work on a Friday evening and Sunderland fans got to take advantage of the fact that they could head straight to the pub once it hit 5pm and therefore created a buzzing excitement inside the ground prior to kick off. </p><h2>Sunderland Lineup </h2><p>In what can only be described as a testament to having such a young squad, Le Bris named yet another unchanged side from the team that took on Watford six days prior meaning the lads that started will have played three times in six days. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2MDazR_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2MDazR_0w1EwWwd00" width="1080" height="1080" ><p>Isidor remained up to to exploit the high-line deployed by Daniel Farke, whilst Sunderland’s youthful midfield trio were aiming to provide underlapping runs beyond the wingers to create the passing triangles synonymous with RLB’s style since taking the helm. </p><p>Despite Cirkin’s recent injury scares and Hume’s looming suspension, both fullbacks remained in the side given the technical ability of Leeds’ wingers, they were going to be in for a tough evening. </p><h2>Opposition Lineup </h2><p>Daniel Farke made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Norwich during the midweek, Joe Piroe replaced Mateo Jospeh up front adding some experience and height to the Leeds attacking unit whilst one enforced change was made as the injured Ilia Gruev made way for debutant Joe Rothwell in the middle of the park. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3VrQct_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3VrQct_0w1EwWwd00" width="1080" height="1080" ><p>Leeds look to dominate sides in the Championship due to the sheer gulf in quality presented within their forward line combined with the technical ability of their midfield, Rothwell and Tananka whilst both not the most proficient defensively offer a great range of passing and progressive carrying ability and therefore Leeds look to pin teams back and beat them into submission through squeezing the ball into the opposition half at all times.</p><h2>Coming out of the traps</h2><p>In a style that’s almost becoming second nature to Sunderland at home this season, we started this game with real impetuous and on the front foot. Early exchanges saw both teams really looking to hammer home their dominance and Jobe placed an early shot over the bar which he will be frustrated he didn’t do better with after Roberts’ deflected cross gave him a free shot from just inside the box. </p><p>Not long after this, in a similar move to the earlier chance, in only what can be described as a perfect example of the triangles in action, we saw Rigg, Roberts &amp; Hume combine in a lovely interchange of passing before Hume flashed a ball across the face of goal. Cirkin’s initial shot saw both fullbacks combine however a stunning reaction save from Meslier could only push the shot onto post with Rigg following in to anticipate the rebound.</p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2DTJvH_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2DTJvH_0w1EwWwd00" width="1920" height="1253" ><p>Personally, I’d argue that this is the most well-constructed goal we’ve scored this season and demonstrates the interchanges and fluidity of RLB’s philosophy in full flow, involving fullbacks, midfielders, and wingers all whilst looking slick and effortless. </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3xSSzP_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3xSSzP_0w1EwWwd00" width="600" height="331" ><figcaption>Chris Rigg v Leeds (H)</figcaption></figure><p>Take note of the position of our midfielders during this attack, Le Bris has demanded that his ‘advanced eights’ break into the box during attacking moves as well as contribute to build up in the aforementioned triangles. With both fullbacks forward as well as Jobe &amp; Rigg, Sunderland create a smothering overload in the box and allows goals like this to be scored through anticipation. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1WQmVw_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1WQmVw_0w1EwWwd00" width="1169" height="639" ><h2>Dan Neil - Street Sweeper</h2><p>One tactical change I quickly noticed following our early lead was a distinct change in our shape, something which Le Bris confirmed during his post-match press conference which was Dan Neil’s man-marking foray into defence. </p><p>Neil has become accustomed to operating in a man-marking role under Le Bris however he normally targets opposition midfielders rather than forwards. As Sunderland dropped deeper after scoring, Neil man marked Piroe and therefore when off the ball, Sunderland were dropping into a 5-2-3 shape. In doing so, Sunderland were able to push their centre backs wider to block incoming wingers and worked with good levels of success early on. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3KOR16_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3KOR16_0w1EwWwd00" width="1460" height="1920" ><p>What I found interesting is this essentially left Brendan Aaronson unmarked whilst Leeds built up attacks, essentially saying to Leeds we were happy for Aaronson to dictate the play as we didn’t value his attacking output. Ultimately this trick didn’t last long and following the equaliser we reverted back to our usual shape as wider centre backs were our downfall for the equaliser however I thought it was a nice tactical nuance showing Le Bris choosing to adopt more left-field approaches in his coaching. </p><h2>Timid Second-Half </h2><p>As both teams went down the tunnel at half time, Farke &amp; Le Bris will have had mixed emotions about how to approach the second half, with the game moving at such a pace early on both teams will have wanted to slow the tempo down and settle into a more conservative rhythm however that was short-lived following Leeds’ second goal to ahead. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2OeZxf_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2OeZxf_0w1EwWwd00" width="1412" height="1882" ><p>As both teams naturally dropped deeper Sunderland began to force the issue, resulting in an overly zealous challenge from Mundle being reluctantly blown for a foul by the referee. The resulting freekick caught our defensive shape out of line and resulted in a Junior Firpo strike into the bottom corner. From this point onwards, Leeds knew they could afford to dig in and settle for opportunities on the counter.</p><p>As Sunderland began to turn the screw and look for the equaliser, both O’Nien &amp; Mepham were presented with long spells pf possession working the ball for an opening, having a combined total of 174 touches, and completed 133/147 passes combined. This slower and more predictable attacking tempo played into Leeds hands with timing ticking over and our attacking players feeling the brunt of playing well over 200+ minutes in well over a week.</p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Quib1_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Quib1_0w1EwWwd00" width="730" height="1142" ><h2>Contrasting Approaches </h2><p>If we spin the clock back to December 2023, the previous iteration of this fixture had a similar feel with regard to the prospective position of both clubs in the promotion push, with Leeds in 3rd and Sunderland 6th at the time however we took two very different approaches to each of the games. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2687Fn_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2687Fn_0w1EwWwd00" width="1920" height="1187" ><p>I must first caveat that this by adding the context that Mowbray had been dismissed by the club a week prior to this game and therefore Mike Dodds was going to make a more conservative team selection in the hope of steadying the ship however the contrast in the two approaches to the game remains stark. </p><p>Despite the last fixture against Leeds being tactically perfect by Dodds, the change in mentality and overall approach must be noted. Readers may recall the piece I wrote on this game last season praising the defensive solidity, organisation, and pure determination to play for their coach during Sunderland’s victory however this was very much done with an ‘Underdog’ mentality if you will.</p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4LkIbi_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4LkIbi_0w1EwWwd00" width="1460" height="1918" ><p>Compare this with the side that went out against Farke on Friday and it shows our natural development and swagger of a team who now feel like they belong in the promotion race, gone is the underdog approach of adapting to other sides, instead, Le Bris has his players playing with the confidence that they can challenge anyone in this league playing <i>their</i> way.</p><h2>Dramatic Ending</h2><p>As Anthony Patterson lofted the ball forward, I made my way along the isle as I headed for the stairs accepting our fate only to erupt into a flurry of excitement on the premier concourse as the goal went in, what actually happened? I’m sure our other writers have gone into detail about but for me it was all blur. On reflection however, the luck and never-say die attitude perfectly sums up the tenacious nature of our team this season. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3et7yk_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3et7yk_0w1EwWwd00" width="1920" height="1321" ><p>Roberts (4/8) &amp; Mundle (3/7) both struggled to impact the game with their successful dribbles however continued to probe and drive all night despite this. Where they weren’t producing offensively though, Roberts won 2/2 tackles and 8/12 of his ground duels with Mundle also winning 1/2 tackles, making six recoveries and winning 7/13 of his ground duels. Jobe &amp; Neil also had a 100% tackle success rate and ran themselves into the turf, meaning in the end a draw was the least we deserved.</p><p>Even now through nine games, Sunderland remain second for ‘‘off the ball pressures” which further demonstrates how much of a nuisance Le Bris has his sides playing without the ball.</p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4JQn1v_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4JQn1v_0w1EwWwd00" width="1175" height="1354" ><h2>The Calm Before the Storm</h2><p>With the final international break well underway, Sunderland have a much-needed opportunity to recover and relax ahead of the carnage that is the EFL winter period incoming, with a minimum of two games in six days and more often than not three in seven on the regular between now and January all players have to be ready to step up to the plate. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=44eUqn_0w1EwWwd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=44eUqn_0w1EwWwd00" width="1920" height="1280" ><p>With the standards set by our players so far, not only in their quality on the pitch but also their mentality and total buy-in to the system and philosophy that’s been implemented since Le Bris’ arrival, training must be a joy for our current crop of youngsters. With Aaron Connolly seemingly settling in well and a plethora of signings looking to earn their place, things are looking up on Wearside. With trips to Hull &amp; Luton coming before our next attempt to prolong the unbeaten start to the season at home, Sunderland will be hoping to get back to winning ways away from home and remain in those automatic promotion places at the 1/4 mark of their 24-25 EFL Campaign.</p></div></body>

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Talking Tactics: “What has he done?!” — How Le Bris navigated choppy waters vs Leeds

Following the weekend results, Sunderland went into the second international break of the season sat at the top of the Championship table after a last gasp point against Leeds United on Friday, how did Le Bris’ side fair and what was different to the fixture last season?. First and...

Talking Tactics: “What has he done?!” — How Le Bris navigated choppy waters vs Leeds

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