Regis Le Bris made instant Sunderland change after what he saw Nordi Mukiele do in training
Sunderland have added different routines to their way of playing in the Premier League.
Aside from Sunderland’s woes when it comes to creating chances, even the most pessimistic supporters will find it hard to talk down on what has been an excellent start to life back in the Premier League.
The Black Cats have picked up seven points from the opening four games, including a valuable away point against last year’s FA Cup and Community Shield winners, Crystal Palace.
The new-look Sunderland midfield is a big part of that, but small adjustments made on the pitch have also had a huge influence, with one made by Regis Le Bris after a single training session.
Sunderland have started utilising long throw-ins
Long throw-ins were popular back in the days of Rory Delap and co, but the tradition died out.
There were always a handful of teams looking to utilise them, but this season, it seems as though it has come back into fashion, and Sunderland have followed suit.
Nordi Mukiele, who was named in Troy Deeney’s Team of the Week, has not only injected quality into the Black Cats’ defensive line but has also given them the option to take long throws.
It wasn’t a planned change, with Mukiele revealing that the decision was made by Le Bris after a single training session.
As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, the French defender said: “It’s also another weapon for me to help the team with these kinds of things, not only to defend.
“In training, I did only one, and they saw it, and after we just said that, we can do it, even if I play centre-back. But yeah, it’s a good weapon for our team, something different, and I just hope that one day we’re going to score with this.
“It’s just something that I hope is going to help the team. This is the only thing I want.”
- Read more: Sunderland relegation chances shift in supercomputer prediction after Crystal Palace draw
Sunderland must use set-pieces to their advantage
Le Bris’ side have registered the lowest xG from open play in the Premier League, but have found the back of the net five times.
However, concerns will linger over their ability to create chances in close encounters, showcasing how important it will be to make their set pieces count.
With Granit Xhaka’s deliveries and Mukiele’s long throws, Sunderland have the options to cause problems from a dead-ball situation.
Brian Brobbey’s physicality could be key to that once the Dutchman gets up to speed with Premier League football.
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