Le Bris ‘risks angering entire Sunderland fanbase’ after what he’s done
Sunderland have endured a tough few weeks since securing a spot in the Championship play-offs.
Regis Le Bris has led the Black Cats to fourth place in the table, and Sunderland are now in a position where they are too far behind third, but too far ahead of fifth for that to change.
This should have given Sunderland a boost ahead of the Championship play-offs, which could see the club promoted back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
However, results have slipped in recent weeks, and fan fury now threatens to derail the entire season following Le Bris’ decision over one player.
Sunderland fans furious at Tommy Watson inclusion
Sunderland have developed a lot of young players in recent years, and attacker Tommy Watson enjoyed a strong breakthrough into the senior side.
However, Watson caused a lot of anger by agreeing a move to Brighton for next season, before this season had even reached its conclusion.
Sunderland fans were furious as Watson started in their defeat to Swansea, and with the home side falling to a defeat in which the 18-year-old performed poorly, tensions are beginning to rise.
| Stat | Watson |
| Appearances | 22 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 3 |
Watson was booed off at the Stadium of Light, and this has now given Le Bris a decision to make ahead of the play-offs.
Watson cannot play in play-offs for Sunderland
Sunderland will need to be at their very best if they are to navigate the tricky play-offs, and the last thing they need is additional toxicity among the fanbase.
With Watson now public enemy number one at the Stadium of Light, Le Bris simply must not include him in the starting XI in any of the play-off games.
Watson’s attitude has been criticised, and with his mind clearly elsewhere, fans believe that he is not as committed to the cause of promotion as the rest of the team.
If Watson is included in the team for the play-offs, Le Bris runs the risk of angering the Sunderland fanbase when his team needs them the most, and should they fall short as a result, the manager will find himself in the firing line over his decision.