Alan Browne set for ‘really important’ role at Sunderland
Sunderland summer signing Alan Browne has made just 15 appearances for the Mackems this term courtesy of injury problems.
But despite the Ireland international’s absence for large spells of the season, Regis Le Bris’ men reside comfortably in the playoff spots with just eight Championship games left to play.
However, the international break has arrived at the right time for the Black Cats, who have won just two of their last five games and were hammered 3-0 by Coventry last time out.
Sunderland were previously in the automatic promotion race, but will now likely have to navigate their way through the playoffs to book their spot in next season’s Premier League.
Jobi McAnuff outlines why Browne’s experience could be vital for Sunderland
The most impressive aspect of the Mackems’ promotion push this term has been the eye-catching performances of young talent such as Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg.
But Sunderland’s tricky spell of form in recent weeks could be down to the lack of experience among Le Bris’ ranks.
| Championship table (top six) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1 Leeds | 38 | 51 | 80 |
| 2 Sheffield Utd | 38 | 25 | 80 |
| 3 Burnley | 38 | 41 | 78 |
| 4 Sunderland | 38 | 18 | 69 |
| 5 Coventry | 38 | 7 | 59 |
| 6 West Brom | 38 | 14 | 57 |
Jobi McAnuff pointed that out on Sky Sports’ Essential EFL podcast [20 March], saying: “That lack of experience in the squad is always something that would end up telling, and I think just in this little spell it has done.
“But they’ve still got some good experience in there to really get that group together, Alan Browne obviously being back around it in recent weeks, and players like that are going to be really important between now and the end of the season.”
Browne could hold key as Sunderland continue play-off push
The Black Cats’ 2-1 defeat at Leeds last month all but ended their automatic promotion hopes, but they are still in a commanding position in terms of the playoff battle.
However, young talent such as Bellingham and increasingly prominent striker Eliezer Mayenda will need experienced teammates like Browne to help guide them through the business end of the season.
While Browne has made just 15 appearances for Sunderland since moving to the Stadium of Light last summer, he made over 400 appearances for former club Preston, predominantly in the Championship.
That sort of experience and know-how at the second-tier level could prove vital for the Mackems as they look to cement their top-six status and head into the playoffs in strong form.
Browne made a cameo appearance off the bench when Sunderland were beaten 3-0 by Coventry last Saturday, but he could be named in Le Bris’ starting lineup more frequently after the international break.
Here’s to one last huge push for promotion after the break.