How Regis Le Bris has switched up Sunderland's tactics to make a winning start in 2025

01/06/2025 09:56 AM

A slight tactical tweak for Regis Le Bris has seen Sunderland start the year with two home wins putting them to within three points off top spot.

The French coach made the move to Wearside in the summer and since then he has helped Sunderland go to the next level.

Already in the 2024/25 campaign he has the Wearsiders firmly in the race for a top six spot and his side are just six points away from levelling last season’s tally.

In the majority of games this season Sunderland have operated in a 1-4-2-3-1 shape and have dropped into a 1-4-4-2 out of possession, but the last two games have seen Le Bris make a switch which has proved damaging for both Sheffield United and Portsmouth so far this year.

Against the Blades, Sunderland played quite a traditional 1-4-4-2 system. However, it wasn’t played in a way which coincided with the stereotype this formation usually brings. Instead, it was played with purpose and it was able to nullify Chris Wilder’s men and break them down on the transition.

Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda have formed a formidable partnership over the last couple of games, the pace and directness of the pair has led Sunderland to six points so far this year.

Le Bris claimed Sunderland opted for the formation change to pack out the middle of the pitch against Sheffield United. Sunderland’s compact block out of possession forced the Blades sideways and wide where a press was triggered. They were unable to penetrate centrally and that often made their play predictable which led to Sunderland winning possession back easier.

Once they had the ball, Mayenda would often pick it up deepest with Isidor making line-breaking runs in behind and it was this pattern which saw Sunderland score two of their last three goals.

Typically, in the 1-4-2-3-1, Le Bris’ main form of attacking would come from the wide areas. He prioritises wide triangles with his winger, no8 and full back with the aim being half space runs to get to the byline for cutbacks.

In the 1-4-4-2 this hasn’t been as prominent for Sunderland due to the fact the system has less central midfield players in it. Instead, we have seen more individuality from the wide men, especially with Aji Alese starting at left back who doesn’t tend to overlap as freely as Dennis Cirkin.

Out of possession Sunderland have lately shown some strong similarities to Le Bris’ style with Lorient.

In games vs Middlesbrough and Hull this season Sunderland have pressed in a 1-4-2-4 going with a man for man approach on their opponent’s back line, with the aim of forcing the ball back to the goalkeeper and making him kick long to then win the first contact and second balls.

However, injuries have hit and that means Sunderland can’t afford to adopt this aggressive approach every time. Instead, they have played a more passive mid-block style with the two strikers screening the passing lanes between the opposition CB’s and pivots.

Once a press is engaged, either Isidor or Mayenda will arc their run to force the opposition into their full back or winger which then locks on Sunderland’s wide man. Once again this forces the opposition down the flanks and prevents central penetration, which is crucial when playing with an underload in midfield, as often is the case in a 1-4-4-2.

It will be interesting to see how Le Bris continues to adapt Sunderland’s approach as time goes on and with some prominent players making a return from injury. But, for the time being, Sunderland fans will be happy with the flexibility showed by their head coach and they are currently reaping the rewards of their proactiveness.