Regis Le Bris explains tactics in win over Sheffield United

It has become a trend for managers to proudly state that their team ‘only plays one way’.

Think Ruben Amorim at Manchester United or Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. Things might be unravelling, but when it comes to tactics and formations, the head coach is not for turning.

Surely, though, one of a coach’s key assets is the ability to be flexible when the situation demands it? Why stick rigidly to something that isn’t really working? Why continue to play the same way if the opposition knows what is coming and can plan for it accordingly?

Since taking over at Sunderland in the summer, tactical flexibility has been one of Le Bris’ key strengths. Rarely, if ever, does the Frenchman set up his side to play in exactly the same manner for two successive matches. And more often than not, his tweaks have had the desired effect.

Take Wednesday’s win over Sheffield United as an example. Prior to the game, Le Bris’ research had revealed that the Blades’ key strength was down the middle of the pitch. Defensively, however, they were vulnerable to raw pace and often left space for opponents to run into behind their backline.

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Le Bris is not really a man for a 4-4-2. At no previous stage in his Wearside tenure had he started a game with two centre-forwards playing alongside each other as a central duo. On Wednesday, though, he made that switch, pairing Wilson Isidor with Eliezer Mayenda in attack and ensuring his side were able to match their opponents numerically down the central corridor of the pitch. The result? Isidor and Mayenda both scored as Sunderland claimed the win that lifted them back to within two points of the top two.

“We were not sure whether to make the change before the game,” revealed the Black Cats boss. “We spoke with the staff about many options. In the end, we thought that this shape was the better one because with the speed we had through the middle of the pitch, and with the ability we had to work hard as a unit out of possession, within the shape, we knew it could be effective.

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“We especially thought it could work against that team (Sheff Utd) because they want to play in the middle a lot, they tend to pack out the central corridor. So, if we were able to recover the ball here, then with that speed in behind, we knew that it was a massive weapon. It was interesting to see the way it worked out.”

Interesting, and effective. Sunderland carried an attacking threat all evening, with Isidor and Mayenda repeatedly breaking beyond the Sheffield United backline. Mayenda certainly looked much more comfortable playing as a central striker rather than being stationed on the flank, as he has been for much of the last month. Isidor seemed to benefit from having another forward alongside him, rather than constantly having to be the ‘out-ball’ for the Sunderland defence.

Le Bris will not be playing with two central strikers in every game. Given that Portsmouth are likely to come with the intention of packing men behind the ball at the weekend, there is every chance Wednesday’s formation will not be repeated on Sunday afternoon. It worked in the week though, and Le Bris now knows it is a viable option for future games.

“It is always different,” he said. “There will be games where that might work, and then there will be other games where it is not really so suitable. There are always different scenarios, and we will be playing against a different opponent on Sunday.

“But it’s good to see that we can use that option. I think we used it once before at the very end of a game at home, but it is not something we have usually done. We used the shape once before though, and I remember thinking at that moment, ‘It could be a good option for the future’. That was the case in the win over Sheffield United.”