“Has Regis Le Bris Made the Season’s Biggest Mistake? Controversial Decision During Sunderland’s Draw with Leeds Leads to Dan Neil’s Captaincy Questioned.”
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris made a questionable decision during their 2-2 draw against Leeds United.
Despite appearing set to suffer their first home defeat of the 2024/25 Championship season, Sunderland managed a remarkable late equalizer at the Stadium of Light, thanks in part to a mistake by Leeds goalkeeper Ilian Meslier in the 97th minute.
New signing Alan Browne scored his first goal for the Black Cats in dramatic fashion, while Chris Rigg found the net early in the first half, giving Sunderland the lead.
Browne’s impact upon entering the match emphasized a rare misstep by Le Bris that, in hindsight, could have altered the outcome if handled differently.
Le Bris’s decision regarding Dan Neil’s selection was particularly notable. Last weekend, Neil, Sunderland’s captain, struggled in the midfield during their defeat to Watford, culminating in a penalty concession that led to a second straight away loss.
This game presented a perfect opportunity to rest Neil, who has been off form recently, especially with Browne returning from injury. Browne’s Championship experience is invaluable, particularly in tense situations, and his playmaking skills should secure him a place in the starting lineup moving forward.
There seems to be a reluctance from Le Bris to alter his midfield setup, particularly regarding his captain. Earlier in the season, he initially favored Rigg, who has since established himself as a regular starter.
While it might be difficult for Le Bris to drop Neil, doing so could benefit the team as they aim to maintain their strong form this season. Additionally, Luke O’Nien has proven capable of stepping into the captaincy role, as he did last year, should the need arise.
