Phil Smith: My key conclusions from watching Sunderland's draw with Lech Poznan in Poland

Sunderland were held to a 1-1 draw by Lech Poznan in Poland on Thursday night.

Phil Smith was there reporting for The Echo and these were his key conclusions from the game…

Sunderland take a step in the right direction but two key issues remain….

This was a game that Sunderland should really have put to bed by half time, albeit with their opposition having plenty of chances of their own in a remarkably open first half hour of the game. It is no exaggeration to say that 4-2 or 3-1 to Sunderland would have been a perfectly reasonable reflection of the game, and part of that is down to the way the Black Cats approached the game.

Though Lech Poznan, probably like AZ Alkmaar in the opening game of the league phase, are a good side on the ball where they probably lack against Premier League opposition is in intensity and physicality. Sunderland knew that stepping up the pitch and marking man-for-man as they so often have under Régis Le Bris would leave space and chances but also that it would likely yield opportunities. Nordi Mukiele was pushing as high up the pitch as he possibly could, overwhelming Poznan at times but leaving space when they were able to play the ball through the first press.

That’s exactly how it played out but the frustration was that they were unable to capitalise on Timur Tutierov’s early goal and let their opposition back into the contest.

This was one of those slightly strange games where your assessment will likely depend on whether you generally see things glass half full or glass half empty. The positive was that there was a clear reaction to Sunderland’s dismal performance at Bournemouth, and in all phases of the game they created genuinely decent opportunities.

The concern is that once again they struggled good moments into goals, and that they continue to concede significant chances. The fairly brutal reality here is that as long as that trend continues in Premier League games, they will almost certainly be punished by the superior level of opposition.

Frustration fair but point is step in right direction in Europa League context

The result and the manner of it understandably drew mixed emotions and reactions on Wearside but it’s also worth just for a moment taking it out of the wider context and considering it in the context of the Europa League league phase.

Sunderland have now played their Pot 1 opposition at the Stadium of Light, and two games away from home. While those two games have been against their Pot 3 and Pot 4 opposition, four points and seven from nine overall leaves them very well placed. Last season, nine points was enough to qualify for the knockout rounds and thirteen points enough to be seeded. Sixteen points and a goal difference of plus five was enough to get into the top eight, thus bypassing the first knockout round and progressing straight to the last sixteen. Sunderland do have their toughest two away games to play but also in theory their three easier home games. They are in a superb position not just to progress, but to keep managing the minutes of their key players throughout this league phase. In weeks where they are at home in particular, that could make a crucial difference to the energy levels and freshness for the Premier League games.

While debate as to the strength of Lech Poznan continues, it’s worth noting that they have had a very tough start to the league phase in terms of opposition and are once again going very well in the Polish league. That’s no guarantee, either, as Sunderland’s next Polish opposition Jagiellonia Białystok have lost four games in a row and sit twelfth in the eighteen team division.

Luke O’Nien plays his way back into Premier League contention

O’Nien is now a very experienced player well used to managing the highs and lows of a season. Even so, it will have been a bitter disappointment not to have been able to use his opportunity to start the league campaign and make that left-sided centre back position his own at Ipswich Town.

As ever, however, he has got his head down and waited for his opportunity to knock. There is a broader point and concern here that when Leeds United visit the Stadium of Light and potentially when Sunderland go to Coventry City next weekend that there will be yet more new defensive partnerships on the pitch. That is not a good platform for success and a huge departure from what has made the team so sturdy under Le Bris, but equally this was a big night for O’Nien given the struggles of others in the squad. He was tidy in possession and set the tempo, while also producing a solid defensive performance. After last week’s debacle at Bournemouth, you’d have to think he has pushed his way for now above Omar Alderete and potentially even Kevin Danso in the pecking order.

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Wingers take step in right direction but frustration continues

This was a big opportunity for Malick Fofana and Nilson Angulo and credit to the latter who really seized it. His positioning, concentration and awareness out of possession was back to the level he showed against Manchester City before the international break and there was a little bit of quality to go with it as he crossed early and well for Tutierov to score. Given the current list of absentees, you suspect Le Bris will look to try and build on it and keep him in the side for now.

On the other flank, Fofana delivered a performance not easy to assess. The first half was much better, with the winger showing far more positive intent and a willingness to do things quickly and to take on his full back. That had been frustratingly lacking in his appearances so far, and hopefully is a sign of growing confidence and rhythm. However, he also found himself unable to make more of a string of very good shooting opportunities and that really underlined a key area where Sunderland have been lacking this season.

Elsewhere, Jules Ahoka continues to look like a huge talent whose Premier League bow is surely only a matter of time.

The Echo’s Europa League coverage is sponsored by Amari Plastics. Covering all of North East England and Cumbria, Amari Plastics launched in 1975 and has built a reputation as the region's leading plastic distributor. During this time, we’ve established strong working relationships with businesses in three main market sectors: sign, display & large format printing, building & construction and industrial & engineering.