Exclusive: Sunderland told to hire psychologist before Premier League return
Sunderland have plenty of work ahead of them this summer as they prepare for life in the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris is now a hero on Wearside, getting to the play-off final and beating Sheffield United to gain promotion to the top flight after eight years away.
With a poor run of form in the final weeks of the campaign, the Black Cats weren’t the favourites going into the game at Wembley, but showed their spirit when it mattered.
However, Sunderland will need to be prepared for every eventuality in the Premier League.
Sunderland urged to repeat Championship trick
Having been relegated from the Premier League in 2017, there have been plenty of changes since Sunderland’s last experience at the top.
Most crucially, VAR is now in use in the Premier League, something the North Eastern outfit did not have to worry about in the Championship and League One.
The Black Cats did get a taste of the system in the play-off final, however, with the Blades having a goal ruled out for offside as a result of its inclusion.
| Sheffield United | Sunderland |
| Tyrese Campbell, 25′ | |
| Harrison Burrows (VAR disallowed), 34′ | |
| Eliezer Mayenda, 76′ | |
| Tommy Watson, 90+5′ |
Ahead of the final, Le Bris did all he could to make sure his side was in good shape, bringing in a referee ahead of the game to discuss VAR with the players.
The move was previously praised by ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett and speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he has urged the boss to do the same and more ahead of the new Premier League season.
He said: “I think that they should bring in a referee to discuss VAR, and I would also bring in a Sports Psychologist.
“VAR can impact negatively, for example, having scored a goal and then having it knocked off by the intervention of VAR.
“It can break momentum, and I have seen players lose concentration immediately after a VAR intervention. Through video, they can show examples of the work of VAR and the discussions that take place.
“I would also highlight the new laws surrounding the eight-second law introduction, and if the PGMOL are adopting if only the captains can talk to the referee.
“I support referees going into clubs before the new season commences.”
Sunderland need to be well prepared for the Premier League
With Tommy Watson and Jobe Bellingham exiting the Stadium of Light, with Chris Rigg potentially following in their footsteps, it has not been the best start to preparations for the Black Cats so far.
However, there is plenty of time for Le Bris to do the work he feels necessary throughout the summer to improve things on the pitch, with a welcome PSR boost.
Things off the pitch matter just as much, though, and as Hackett says, making sure the players are properly briefed on something that will have a massive impact on a weekly basis is well worth doing.