Trai Hume addresses wretched Sunderland record but Everton win serves as reminder to Regis Le Bris
Trai Hume was again utilised on the wing for Sunderland against Everton.
Sunderland will enter the final clash of the season against Chelsea with European football in sight after their 3-1 win away to Everton, with Enzo Le Fee the magician again.
He had a part to play in two of the goals, while Habib Diarra and Wilson Isidor combined for the third at Hill Dickinson.
That is despite the Black Cats finding themselves 1-0 down at the break, after Merlin Rohl’s deflected effort beat Robin Roefs.
Hume was withdrawn in the latter stages of the game, and while he may have improved his record in one aspect, it showcased the error that Regis Le Bris can’t make again.
Trai Hume’s record out of position improves, but others are the reason
Prior to Sunday, Hume had played 19 times out of position for Sunderland this season, with the Black Cats having won just four of them agmes.
In comparison, Sunderland have won eight of the 19 games in which he has featured at right-back, otherwise known as his natural position.
| Hume | Appearances | Wins |
| Out of position | 20 | 5 |
| Right-back | 19 | 8 |
That record has shifted slightly after the Black Cats won against Everton, though the Northern Ireland international did very little to impact that, as the stats show.
He completed just 78 per cent of his 32 attempted passes, failed to complete any chances or any of his attempted crosses.
But what was more important to note was how Sunderland looked far more dangerous when attacking players were brought on, with Habib Diarra and Chris Rigg both having a hand in goals after their introduction.
Hume holds plenty of value in this team, but as a winger, his time simply must be up.
Regis Le Bris must take the handbrake off vs Chelsea
It very much looks like next weekend’s clash between Sunderland and Chelsea will be a winner-takes-all type of scenario in terms of European football.
And if the Black Cats are to be on the winning side of that, they need to go into the game with the intent of winning it, and Hume playing out of position doesn’t serve as that kind of motivation.
Le Bris has various options he can go with after such a strong second-half display against Everton, and he must be careful when it comes to making the right one.
For even more Sunderland news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.