- Sunderland at full strength except for Romaine Mundle and Dan Ballard
- Regis Le Bris admits disappointment at Ballards suspension
- What are the chances of Sunderland playing in Europe next season
Ahead of Sunderland’s game against Manchester United, their manager, Regis Le Bris, spoke about his players availability and his annoyance at Dan Ballards suspension being upheld.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has spoken before their game against Manchester United.
He confirmed the squad is at full strength except for Romaine Mundle who is still struggling with a hamstring injury suffered in February.
Additionally, Dan Ballard who will miss the rest of the season through suspension.
Le Bris spoke of his annoyance at Dan Ballard’s suspension. He was shown a straight red card for an incident involving Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare.
Sunderland did appeal the decision but that was rejected and they now have to do without the big defender for the remainder of the season.
The Frenchman also spoke candidly about the clubs chances of snatching a European place.
They currently sit 12th, four points of Brentford in seventh and depending on other stipulations, this could become a European spot.
Annoyance at the FA for Turning Down the Red Card Appeal
Sunderland’s head coach was frustrated at the FA’s decision to turn down the appeal for Dan Ballard’s red card versus Wolves last week.
Ballard was sent off with Sunderland one-nil up, and the club managed to hold on to a point with ten men.
The red card was shown after VAR determined that the Northern Irish international had pulled the hair of the Wolves forward.
Le Bris, though, argued that the hair pull wasn’t intentional and that his defender was grappling with his opponent for position.
Ballard isn’t the first defender to get a red card for hair pulling this season.
Manchester United Lisandro Martinez was surprisingly sent off last month for pulling the hair of Leeds United striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Regarding Sunderland’s European hopes this season, the coach was quick to downplay any expectations within the club.
He urged his team to “stay humble.” After all, their initial hopes were to survive in the Premier League.
He did, however, acknowledge that he wanted his players to be “bold and creative” and to at least stay in the conversation for a European spot for as long as they can be.
Would Europe be a hindrance after only one year in the top flight?
The thought of European football is enough to get any fan excited. Away days on the continent are memories to treasure, however, it can cause a squad to be stretched.
Le Bris is correct in relaxing fan expectations, but allowing the hope to remain so that his squad don’t take it easy despite their Premier League status assured.
We have seen a team struggle juggling Premier League and European football.
This season alone, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have plummeted down the league because the strain of Europe.
Add Tottenham Hotspur’s into that mix too this season. It’s a fair question to ask, ‘are Sunderland ready for that step, yet’?
Sunderland need to be smart in their progression
Of course, if the situation arose where the club could qualify for any sort of European competition, it would be snapped up.
But if Le Bris happy to miss outings the hope that such an opportunity will arise again? You have to think he is.
He is methodical in his approach, and the improvements made in his first two season allow fans to dream that a genuine European adventure isn’t too far away.
With more players with experience on the continent, like Granit Xhaka and Nordi Mukiele, the club will see next season as a chance to fully embrace a potential go to European qualification.
