James Copley: My frank Régis Le Bris verdict amid Sunderland fan anger after Coventry City defeat
Le Bris’ achievements still matter, but Sunderland’s Coventry defeat leaves difficult questions to answer
The most baffling decision of Sunderland’s afternoon at Coventry came at half-time. Two goals down, second best and desperately short of conviction, they emerged with the same players and the same shape.
Régis Le Bris had watched the same first half as everyone else. He had seen the defensive mistakes, the lack of attacking threat and Coventry’s greater urgency. Yet he gave the same XI the opportunity to put it right. There are occasions when that faith is justified. Players can respond to instructions and turn a contest without the manager reaching for his bench. But Sunderland had offered precious little to suggest that was about to happen.
They needed something different. Instead, they waited until Coventry scored a third. Only then did Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi replace Chris Rigg and Nilson Angulo as Le Bris switched to a 4-4-2. By that stage, the damage was done. For a head coach we have come to trust so much, and who has delivered so much, it was a baffling afternoon.
Why I won’t personally call for Le Bris’ head
I will not call for Le Bris’ head because of the moments he has given us. The promotion, the European qualification, the results and memories that felt a long way off when he arrived. Those things mean something to me. If this were Michael Beale or Simon Grayson, I would probably be shouting from the rooftops for a change. I accept that is not an entirely consistent position, but I cannot in good faith pretend Le Bris’ achievements carry no weight, even if they do not mean anything in terms of future results.
That does not mean defending the indefensible. I can acknowledge that a managerial change is now very possible, and may even be necessary, without being willing to demand it myself. Something is not right, and it would be increasingly difficult to argue otherwise. At his best, Le Bris has been a superb tactician, capable of preparing Sunderland to compete with and beat excellent opposition. Two historic seasons should not disappear from the conversation.
But those achievements cannot answer the questions being asked now. Has Sunderland’s approach evolved enough? Are the right players being selected? Are changes coming quickly enough when a game is clearly going against them? At Coventry, the answer to that final question was no. There is a fine line between conviction and stubbornness. Le Bris has too often fallen on the wrong side of it this season. Believing in your methods matters. Recognising when they need to change matters just as much.
A damning return in the Premier League
One point from Leeds United at home and Coventry City away is a damning return. These were opportunities for Sunderland to repair their league position and restore confidence. Instead, they remain bottom after nine matches, with five points and 17 goals conceded.
The performance at Coventry was every bit as concerning as the result. The hosts outfought Sunderland and showed greater quality. That combination should worry everyone associated with the club. There has been an alarming drop-off from too many individuals. Players who helped establish Sunderland as a competitive Premier League side are struggling to deliver the standards expected of them.
Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Brentford showed what other members of the squad could offer, but Le Bris retained 10 of the players who started the goalless draw with Leeds. Sunderland failed to build on that midweek encouragement, and familiar problems resurfaced. The fixtures now make uncomfortable reading. Chelsea are next in the league, followed by Aston Villa away, Tottenham at home and Liverpool away, with two Europa League matches also in the schedule.
Sunderland have beaten strong opponents before, so this run should not be written off, but can they be trusted to do it at the moment? They will need to produce considerably more than they managed at Coventry to prevent an already worrying position from becoming worse.
Responsibility extends beyond the dugout
Failure is collective. It would be far too convenient to place everything at Le Bris’ door and allow the players to escape scrutiny. Sunderland’s individual errors leading to goals have reached at least seven in the Premier League this season. No tactical plan can withstand that level of generosity indefinitely. At Coventry, another defensive mix-up handed the hosts the opener. Further damage followed, leaving Sunderland trying to recover from a position they had done far too much to create themselves.
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The manager is responsible for organisation, selection and responding to problems. The players are responsible for executing basic tasks, competing properly and making better decisions. Too many are falling short. Senior players, in particular, have to offer more. But holding them accountable does not remove the need to question whether the tactics and team selection are helping.
Individuals can perform poorly while the manager also fails to give the team its best chance. Recruitment deserves scrutiny, too. Have the additions provided what Sunderland needed? Has the squad been equipped properly for domestic and European football? Replacing a head coach would not automatically resolve every weakness, but there is little doubt that this group should be doing better, and the buck stops with the head coach in football.
A long way back for Le Bris
The boos from the away end reflected an afternoon in which supporters had been given too little to get behind. They watched avoidable goals, a struggling team and changes that came too late. Omar Alderete’s dismissal compounded the frustration.
Le Bris has earned affection and respect. But Sunderland need evidence that he can solve their present problems, rather than relying on memories of what he has already achieved. Whoever is in charge against Chelsea, there is still time to recover the league season. There is much less room to keep repeating the same mistakes. I will not demand his dismissal. I also cannot deny that he is now in serious trouble. After Coventry, it looks a long way back.