Fewer touches than Roefs & only 9 passes: Sunderland star must be dropped

Régis Le Bris is currently working with a depleted Sunderland squad, with six members of his energetic Black Cats group away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

While the absences will undoubtedly frustrate the French coach, they have also opened the door for fringe players to push for a place in the starting XI.

A reshuffled Sunderland side was handed that opportunity against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, but few truly took it as the contest at the Amex Stadium ended in a flat 0-0 draw.

The performance left several Sunderland players trudging off disappointed, even if the point was enough to keep them fifth in the Premier League standings.

Sunderland’s underwhelming performers against Brighton

With AFCON stripping Le Bris of several regular starters, attention naturally turned to those given the chance to step up.

Trai Hume was among the positives. Returning to the starting lineup with Reinildo away on international duty, the Northern Irishman looked sharp from the outset.

Operating at left-back, Hume put in a combative display, winning seven tackles and ten duels, according to Sofascore.

Simon Adingra, however, struggled to make an impact. Making his first league start since October, the Ivorian winger appeared short of sharpness and failed to trouble his former club, registering no accurate crosses and no successful dribbles during his hour on the pitch.

Up front, Brian Brobbey once again led the line but drifted in and out of the contest, managing just one shot on target.

His replacement, Wilson Isidor, fared little better after coming on, as Sunderland’s attack lacked conviction throughout.

Defensively, the Black Cats were far more assured. Goalkeeper Roefs picked up another clean sheet as Sunderland remained well organised at the back.

Still, that solidity did little to mask concerns further forward, particularly after one attacking display raised fresh questions.

Le Bris faces a decision over Sunderland youngster

On another day, Sunderland might have left the south coast with all three points, were it not for Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who made six crucial saves.

Chris Rigg was among those testing the Dutchman, firing off two efforts after being handed a start in place of the absent Bertrand Traore.

However, the numbers tell a less convincing story. The 18-year-old completed just nine accurate passes from 28 touches and struggled to influence the game consistently.

In fact, Roefs finished the match with more touches than Rigg, highlighting how little Sunderland were able to work the ball down the right flank.

The teenager also failed to attempt a cross or a dribble, as both attacks were largely nullified in a contest dominated by defensive discipline.

Rigg was a breakout star last season under Le Bris, earning high praise after contributing four goals and one assist during Sunderland’s promotion campaign.

Yet this display suggested he may not be ready to shoulder the burden as a Premier League starter just yet.

Opportunities will still come his way, with Traore away in Morocco for AFCON, but Le Bris now faces the challenge of finding reliable alternatives on the right wing rather than placing all his faith in the young midfielder to deliver.