After a gut-wrenching result at Elland Road, Sunderland's margin for error is now razor thin

19/02/2025 07:00

Dropped points in previous matches turned the clash with Leeds United into a pressure game, and as Phil West writes, it was a test that we couldn't quite pass despite an encouraging first half display

We competed strongly.

We showed flashes of the youthful exuberance and steadfast resilience that's so often helped us this season, but when all was said and done, all we were left with in the aftermath of another heavyweight clash with Leeds United was the bitter taste of defeat and a whole lot of 'what ifs?' as the Yorkshire side celebrated a crucial victory in the race for Premier League promotion.

In the end, two goals of incredible simplicity and irritating sloppiness dealt what many Lads' fans may see as a fatal blow to our automatic promotion hopes at a raucous Elland Road on Monday evening.

First, an accurate Joe Rothwell free kick from the left was headed home by Pascal Struijk to haul Daniel Farke's outstanding side level, before a dangerous ball in from the right — again from Rothwell — somehow found its way past Anthony Patterson after we'd made a hash of the earlier clearance.

In the blink of an eye, 0-1 became 2-1 to the hosts, but as has so often been the case this season and reflected in a growing number of points dropped from winning positions, we hadn't been undone by moments of outrageous quality.

Instead, we paid the price for our own shortcomings and inability or unwillingness to back our skills, take the game to Leeds, and build on a lead that had been hard earned.

Monday's game was always going to be a stiff test and in the first half, we acquitted ourselves well, with a disciplined and energetic performance that proved effective in keeping the hosts at bay.

Another goal of stunning quality from Wilson Isidor — holding off Ethan Ampadu before turning and fizzing a shot in off the post — had given us the advantage, but the acid test was whether we could build on it or whether we'd lapse into the kind of 'safety first' mindset that's so often been our downfall during 2024/2025.

As it was, that's exactly what happened and as Leeds grew in strength, with a baying home crowd driving them on, we began to get ragged, with frantic tackling, rushed clearances and attacking play that was largely non existent.

Attempting to contain such a formidable side for the entirety of the second half without really posing a threat ourselves always felt like a fool's errand, and the lack of meaningful attacks was the hallmark of a side who couldn't quite summon the final thrust that such games are often decided by.

With Régis Le Bris' tactics in the spotlight in the aftermath, it's fair to say that the Frenchman has done some stellar work this season whilst acknowledging that his pragmatic approach and willingness for his men to grind out narrow victories (a mere two wins by a two-goal margin since October tells a story in itself) as opposed to pushing for more goals and more comprehensive victories has been to our detriment at times.

Although it may be a stretch to claim that Le Bris has 'lost his nerve' as the season has unfolded, the idea that this side, loaded with attacking talent and with pace to burn, can eke out a narrow lead and defend it for the remainder of a game simply isn't realistic — and certainly not against as fearsome a team as Leeds.

The ethos at Sunderland, one that's been in place ever since Tony Mowbray took charge back in 2022, is built around attacking, front-foot football, and although you can have tremendous admiration for the remarkably disciplined way in which Burnley are going about their business, that's not us and it simply doesn't play to our strengths.

In theory, the likes of Salis Abdul Samed ought to be able to help us control games, but the Ghanaian found the going tough on Monday and wasn't able to help stem the Leeds tide. Elsewhere, Eliezer Mayenda's running power wasn't utilised and the introduction of Ian Poveda felt like a move borne of desperation rather than clarity of thought.

A bad night, but all is not lost and I don't believe this loss was the final nail in the automatic promotion coffin — not least because the fixture computer has thrown up plenty of intriguing games in the weeks ahead and we do have the ability to keep up the pressure with a run of victories.

In isolation, a defeat wouldn't have been a disaster but when dropped points against the likes of Coventry, Millwall, Blackburn, Stoke City, Sheffield United, Plymouth and Watford are factored in, what could've been a comparative free hit was turned into a pressure game.

As brutal as it might sound, that's the harsh reality of life at this end of the table and we have to look inwardly in order to improve.

Moving on from this might not be easy, but it has to be done.

We have to build a new winning run, and that hopefully starts with rotation in key positions, the shackles being loosened, and a positive performance and victory against Hull City on Saturday. Le Bris certainly won't panic and nor should he, but there does need to be a stronger sense of purpose and greater conviction in our play.

It's fair to say that we're relying on slip ups from others and that expecting the top two to falter to that extent may seem like a forlorn hope, but all we can do is regather ourselves, maintain our focus, and hope for more twists in this most fascinating of tales.

Promotion battles, eh?

Not easy and a real grind at times, but one day, when that Premier League flag is flying outside the Stadium of Light and we're welcoming the country's elite footballers to Wearside once again, hopefully it'll all be worth it.