An examination of the main talking points from Sunderland’s two preseason games against Gateshead FC and South Shields FC.
Regis Le Bris’ fluid formation
Although the opposition’s caliber may not be the best indicator of Sunderland’s performance this year, the team’s debut against South Shields of National League North did offer us our first look at Regis Le Bris’ plan.
With Chris Rigg and Adil Aouchiche playing as two number eights and a 4-3-3 in possession, they were able to get bodies around Black Cats lineman Eliezer Mayenda. Dan Neil set the pace from deep in his role as holding midfielder.
Sunderland breezed to a 5-0 lead at the break, barely coming out of second gear. The offensive runs and midfield changes wrecked havoc on South Shields’ defense.
Last season, Sunderland’s collapse came from their final third, and while they were playing a team four tiers lower, it was encouraging to see Patrick Roberts looking dangerous.
To be honest, Sunderland’s quick transition play and quick work of the ball from back to front caught South Shields off guard. Their wide players were able to stay wide thanks to the full backs’ inverted runs. With goals from Roberts, Trai Hume, Rigg, Mayenda, and Aouchiche, there were some excellent transitions and signs of effort on the training field.
Chris Rigg’s midfield role
Fresh from signing his first professional contract, Rigg was among the standout performers for Sunderland in the first half against South Shields, in the central midfield role which supporters have been clamouring to see.
There has been much debate regarding his positional future, having started on the right-wing predominantly last season, with Mike Dodds citing his age as the reason behind that tactical decision.
His future, undoubtedly, lies in the heart of midfield and today, he showed exactly what he can offer Le Bris in the Championship next season. Energy, bravery in the tackle and the ability to knit things together well in the final third.
As an eight on the field, Rigg was a vital link in Sunderland’s attack-oriented shift from defense to offense. Because of the quality of Rigg in their possession, their transition happened quickly.
Gateshead sterner opposition
There may have only been a league difference between South Shields and Gateshead, but the Heed proved a much sterner test for Le Bris side this afternoon. Rob Elliot’s side may well have been a Football League side had technicalities over promotion not prevented them from competing in the National League play-offs last season.
The Heed were good in possession and their high press particularly effective. Sunderland struggled to come to terms with that in the opening stages with the Heed good value for their lead.
Sunderland were awarded a penalty when Regan Booty clattered into Nazariy Rusyn inside the area, Jack Clarke dispatching comfortably from the spot.
The Black Cats rediscovered some poise, but it was the Heed who went in a goal to the good at the break. Gateshead looked to exploit the space in behind Timothee Pembele at right-back throughout the first-half.
Former Black Cats Kenton Richardson played a searching diagonal ball in behind the French full-back, with Tom Allan latching onto it and picking out Oseni for his second goal of the game just before the midway point.
The second-half, much like the first instalment of today’s double header, petered out with both teams making changes.
Regis Le Bris’ plan for Jobe
When the news broke regarding Jobe Bellingham pledging his future to another year at Sunderland, quashing any transfer talk linking him with a move away from the Stadium of Light, attention turned to his position.
The 18-year-old played a number of positions last season, but Le Bris revealed he knew exactly what role he envisaged for him. Although the Black Cats lined-up in a 4-3-3 in possession and 4-4-2 out of possession, Jobe was initially in the same number eight role to Rigg at Shields.
In possession, Jobe indeed played as a number eight, but Gateshead’s use of a holding midfielder, meant the Sunderland midfielder marked Booty tightly during the Heed’s build-up phase.
Sunderland’s early injury issues
The Black Cats have been buoyed by a relatively clean bill of health going into this pre-season. Jay Matete, Elliot Embleton, Dennis Cirkin, Dennis Cirkin and Dan Neil have all overcome injuries to be fit in time for the start of the current campaign, while Jewison Bennette and Mayenda have also had very little football since the start of last season.
However, there were a handful of absentees for both of today’s games. New goalkeeper Simon Moore missed the double header with a knock, while Abdoullah Ba and Nectar Triantis will both be out for a couple of weeks having picked up injuries in training.
