AFCON Impact: Sunderland Hold Firm Despite Absences

1 week ago 2

Sunderland have now played two matches since the departure of most of our AFCON contingent and one without the returning Habib Diarra, who managed a brief cameo against Brighton before jetting off to international duty.

With so many players missing, this was always going to be a challenging period for any team, let alone a newly promoted side. Some absences have been more keenly felt than others. Reinildo Mandava and Noah Sadiki are the most obvious ones, but I would include Chemsdine Talbi and Bertrand Traoré in that category.

For me, Reinildo has been the second-most-impactful signing behind Granit Xhaka, and neither Trai Hume nor Dennis Cirkin can properly replace his pace, experience, or his ability to drive upfield on the left flank. Unfortunately Mozambique are doing better than expected at AFCON, and we may be without him for longer than originally anticipated if they do progress deeper into the competition.

Lutsharel Geertruida has made a decent fist of filling Sadiki’s midfield berth, but when Cirkin closed down Lucas Perri on Sunday afternoon, Sadiki would have occupied the space he left – he has done so all season when Reinildo has ventured forward. Instead that side of the defence was left exposed, allowing Leeds to play the expansive football that led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser.

It is frustrating watching a talent like Talbi warming the bench in his home country. As a starter or an impact substitute, he has become integral to Régis Le Bris’ system and played a significant part in the team’s success so far. It is only the fact that Adingra and Mundle are there to cover for him that his absence has not been more evident.

Bertrand Traoré’s absence has had a greater impact than might have been imagined – he took some time to get into his stride and initially struggled to convince, but sometimes it only becomes apparent how important a player is when they are absent. And Sunderland are struggling to find a way to fill the void that he has left.

Of the players who have been drafted in, Geertruida and Simon Adingra have both shown their value. Geertruida has been tidy and industrious without quite bringing the energy and dynamism that Sadiki delivers. He certainly doesn’t look out of place as a Premier League midfielder.

Adingra wasn’t up to speed against his old side last weekend but was much improved against Leeds. His goal may have been the highlight, but it was his defensive work-rate which appeared much improved from his showings earlier in the season. He certainly didn’t shirk a tackle, as Joe Rodon will testify!

Elsewhere, Chris Rigg has struggled to fill the gap that Traoré has left – it isn’t a position that best suits his skillset, and he still looks a little lightweight and too easily dispossessed at this level, although his defending was much more tenacious against Leeds. Would Mayenda’s ability to hold the ball up and turn defenders offer a better option?

Dennis Cirkin was understandably a little ring-rusty but did show signs that he can replicate the form that he showed in the Championship at Premier League level. But with his contract situation still unresolved and Reinildo possibly away for a couple more weeks, there are still questions to be answered.

So far, the AFCON collapse that rival fans were eagerly anticipating hasn’t yet materialised – two points from two games is not to be dismissed – but Régis Le Bris still has plenty to contend with. And his considerations have been complicated by the injury to Dan Ballard.

With fixtures against Manchester City, Tottenham, Brentford, and Crystal Palace in the next three weeks, the French coach has problems to solve. Whether he is able to find solutions within the squad currently at his disposal and whatever additions may arrive in the New Year will determine whether his side can maintain their lofty position in the Premier League.

Losing important players to AFCON was an eventuality that was always going to have to be confronted. So far the impact has been limited – let’s hope it continues to be.

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