Phil Smith: I watched Sunderland's win over Stade Rennais and these were my key conclusions

Sunderland concluded their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win over Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.

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

Rocky start gives way to uplifting afternoon as Sunderland prepare for new season

It would be over the top to say Sunderland were poor in the first half here because at times they moved the ball nicely, but the narrow lead Stade Rennais took into the interval was also clearly deserved.

Credit to the visitors, who are expected to be strong in Ligue 1 this season and showed a good level of organisation and a real threat on the counter. Esteban Lepaul was the top scorer in the division last season and on this evidence will go close again this year, consistently picking up good positions and enjoying a proper battle with Luke O’Nien.

It wasn’t an overly exciting display from Sunderland but from the half-time whistle onwards, things began to pick up considerably. News broke from France that the Black Cats had made major progress in their bid to sign Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie and after a gentle reminder of the need to be at their best against a strong opponent from Régis Le Bris, Sunderland began to move quickly through the gears. Sunderland started the second half brightly and were in cruise control through the final 20 minutes, offering another reminder that they are a team in a very good place having concluded the previous campaign so well.

The first half was a little underwhelming for the fans present but in the long run it might have come at the perfect time, a gentle reminder at the end of a solid pre season that Sunderland can’t afford to drop their standards if they are to replicate their success of last season. It didn’t take long for the penny to drop and once it did, there only looked to be one winner in this game.

Substitutes make a big impact again

Le Bris has spoken throughout pre-season about the need for his substitutes to make an impact in a campaign where the Black Cats will likely play at least 50 competitive fixtures. He’ll be encouraged, then, that the message is most definitely getting through.

Just like at RC Lens last week, this was a tight game which Sunderland then absolutely dominated in the last 30 minutes once Le Bris had turned to his bench. A shout out is owed to the likes of Brian Brobbey, Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo for their graft through the first hour of the game, with their replacements thriving against increasingly tiring legs. It is no exaggeration to say Sunderland could have scored three or four in the closing stages of the game, such was their dominance and the ease with which they carved out clear opportunities.

Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle and Habib Diarra all strengthened their credentials while Chris Rigg was once again a constant threat as he picked up space inside from the right wing. With Thomas Meunier struggling with a back issue and Nordi Mukiele unlikely to be ready to start at Ipswich Town, the youngster might just have played his way into the starting XI on opening day. If so, it would be thoroughly deserved. The World Cup left the door ajar for him to impress through pre season and he has kicked it down.

Reinildo shows he is not going anywhere anytime soon

News of Methalie’s now increasingly likely arrival was a big boost in what has been a difficult summer so far, but it also meant that this was a very good day for Reinildo to offer a reminder of his qualities.

The left back linked up with Chemsdine Talbi well, defended resolutely and got into some excellent positions to be denied only by some very strong goalkeeping from Brice Samba. Reinildo missed a lot of football last season which is why it was so imperative that the club invested in strong competition, but here the experienced full back showed why he is certain to start at Portman Road next week. This was a performance that said he has no intention of giving up his place in the side easily.

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Eliezer Mayenda gets poignant and fitting Stadium of Light send off

As Mayenda and the Sunderland squad made their way around the pitch at the end of the game, the youngster initially looked a little reluctant to take in the adulation from the supporters who had waited in anticipation of this moment. His former team mates, though, were having none of it. Reinildo, O’Nien, Isidor and co pushed him forward and the response from the fans was thunderous. This was a very entertaining game but you can be sure that for most present, this will be their abiding memory of it. Football is a ruthless business that is constantly moving forward, and is exceptionally rare for a bond like this to be properly celebrated.

Le Bris spoke with pride afterwards as he reflected on the scenes, noting how big a part of Sunderland’s identity it is to celebrate their young players who make an impact. Sunderland is a club moving forward at pace, but this was a special moment to appreciate a player who did so much to bring it back to where it belongs.

Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris issues Sunderland injury update and explains message to players after Stade Rennais win