Sunderland’s draw with Watford last weekend may have been a tough one to take given the Black Cats missed the opportunity to close the gap to the automatic promotion places.
Regis Le Bris’ side could have moved to within four points of current Championship leaders Leeds United had they won that game in hand, with the Whites in FA Cup action this weekend. Instead, it was Sheffield United who took advantage, with a 2-1 win over Portsmouth to move to within two points of Daniel Farke’s men, move three clear of Burnley in second and five clear of the Black Cats.
The top-two have a comfortable cushion heading into the final third of the campaign, but the season is far from a forgone conclusion with 15 games still to play. Le Bris’ men are in a brilliant position to kick on and could be set for a huge boost on the injury front in the coming weeks.
Alan Browne returned to training last week, while Jenson Seelt also clocked up his first minutes on the pitch for Sunderland U21s after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, it’s the impending returns of Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson that should excite supporters and Le Bris the most.
Sunderland are lacking an outlet on the left-hand side of the pitch, with Enzo Le Fee currently operating out on the flank. His scintillating display at the Riverside was his best display in a red and white shirt and only operating at 70 per cent according to the Black Cats boss.
(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Speaking last week, Le Bris had hoped to welcome back both Watson and Mundle to training in the next fortnight or so, which would allow Le Fee to move inside and operate out of his favoured position. Despite their lofty perch, the Black Cats have struggled at times in front of goal, with a lack of creativity in spells.
Moving Le Fee back inside would, in theory, bring the best out of him and allow him to flourish, while also having more depth on the bench to change games if it were needed.
That being said, both Wilson Isidor and Milan Aleksic should have scored against the Hornets to ensure Sunderland of all three points. Eliezer Mayenda’s introduction off the bench helped swing the balance of the tie in the Black Cats’ favour and only strengthen his claim for a start in the weeks to come.
Of the 15 games remaining this season, six of those are against sides in the top-six, with a trip to Elland Road and Leeds United a potential title decider, both for Sunderland and the other teams in the top four. A win for the Black Cats would reduce the gap to the top, while also potentially increasing their advantage over their play-off rivals.
The Black Cats will face nine teams currently in the bottom half of the Championship and a number of sides in and around the play-off picture, which they must take full advantage of. Sheffield United, Leeds and Burnley still have one another to play, and Sunderland can hope they’ll take points off one another.
Le Bris will need to make use of his entire squad between now and the end of the season, with a number of key players set to return from injury, the Black Cats are in a strong position to kick on. Will they be in automatic promotion contention from the end of April? Time will tell.
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