Chris Rigg makes ‘unbelievable’ admission after what he saw in Sunderland training
Sunderland suffered their third straight Championship defeat after losing 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light on Easter Monday.
Their loss to Valerien Ismael’s side means the Black Cats are on their worst run of form this season as they embark on the play-offs in May.
Fitness has been the buzzword in the North East, with Regis Le Bris rotating his Sunderland team in order to have a fit squad for the crunch fixtures.
With a collective of players benefitting from rare minutes on the pitch, Chris Rigg has weighed in with what he has seen on the training ground.
Rigg hails Sunderland’s training ground efforts
Rigg has enjoyed a statement season on Wearside after being handed a regular starting berth by Le Bris earlier in the season.
During recent matches, the Frenchman has handed opportunities to the likes of Milan Aleksic, Tommy Watson, Harrison Jones, and Joe Anderson.
Although not regulars in the starting eleven, the teenager was full of praise for their exploits on the training ground.
He told Sunderland’s website (21 April): “It’s not just a token gesture with the lads who’ve started, they’ve deserved to start. Milan, Tommy, Harrison and Joe, they’ve been unbelievable in training.”
Looking ahead to the Wearsiders’ remaining games, the teenager emphasised the need to have everyone available.
“We need everyone going into the play-offs,” he added.
“We’ve got to take every opportunity as it comes. It’s another defeat which isn’t great but hopefully we can turn the switch and go into the play-offs firing and ready to go.”
Will lack of form cost Sunderland promotion?
Fitness or momentum? That is the debate surrounding Wearside as Sunderland’s season fizzles out before a defining couple of weeks.
Le Bris has highlighted the importance of having a fit squad, which is why he has not risked players and has rotated in recent weeks.
Enzo Le Fee was eased back into the side after his long-term injury, while Jobe Bellingham was offered the same protection.
Players like Aleksic, Watson, Jones, and Anderson have benefited from first-team football, but as a team, the Black Cats have struggled.
When analysing the four most recent Championship play-off winners, it suggests that form played a defining factor in their success.
While Southampton suffered two defeats in their final six games of the regular season, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford had only one defeat between them.
| The last four Championship play-off winners’ end-of-season form | Form (last six games) |
| Brentford | 4 wins, 2 draws |
| Nottingham Forest | 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss |
| Luton Town | 3 wins, 3 draws |
| Southampton | 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses |
Of course, it is tough to predict how Le Bris’ plan will pan out but his side must build confidence ahead of the play-offs.
Although the Wearsiders are struggling to find results, it is all about how they finish.