Sunderland

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says fans booing Brighton-bound Tommy Watson "seems a little bit brainless" after some supporters voiced their frustration with the winger over Easter weekend.

The Black Cats lost 2-1 away against Bristol City on Good Friday then suffered a 1-0 home defeat on Monday to Blackburn Rovers. Watson was booed off the pitch at Ashton Gate but received a more mixed reaction at the Stadium of Light.

Some supporters booed when the winger's name was announced as part of the starting line-up before the loss to Blackburn while others applauded as he took a corner in the first-half, and then there was a split reaction when he was substituted in the second.

It was announced at the start of April that Watson will leave Sunderland this summer in a £10m move to Brighton. Since then some fans have questioned whether he should feature in the remaining games this season.

Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It seems a little bit brainless to me. It's modern football.

"We've got players, the top players in the country, who are coming to the end of their contracts and they're still playing for their teams but talking about where they're going to be next year and they might be leaving.

"You can't do that to players. It's just the business of football.

"He has agreed a deal in advance of the season finishing. The club are going to do well out of it. Hopefully in the future even better. He might even end up back here on loan in the summer.

"I'm glad that the majority of people did give him the support he deserves. You never know what might happen. He might have a fairy tale end to the season."

You can listen to more from Marco Gabbiadini on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris was pleased with his side's application despite a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn.

Tyrhys Dolan scored the only goal of the game for Rovers, securing a third straight win to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

The Black Cats are guaranteed their top six spot but are winless in four. Le Bris still praised his players' effort.

"The energy was largely positive, the way we played. Disappointing result, positive performance," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"The opponent had a specific plan; only two shots and one goal. They were efficient and it wasn't the case for us.

"It is now a question of mindset, energy, ambition and desire."

Le Bris made seven changes but refused to use it as an excuse, though he did add that his side lacked cutting edge in attack.

"Even with seven changes, the team was fluid. But is is more in the head than tactics.

"We weren't smooth in the final third. This part of the pitch is the most difficult to get right."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien has praised the development of teenage forward Eliezer Mayenda after the young Spaniard's sensational goal at Bristol City.

The 19-year-old carried the ball around 70 yards before firing into the corner to put his side ahead at Ashton Gate.

The hosts came back to beat the 10-men 2-1, but Mayenda's eighth goal of the season was the Black Cats' stand-out moment in the game.

And for 30-year-old O'Nien, it was further sign of how the forward has stepped up this campaign.

"I've never seen a player receive the ball 70 yards from goal and think, he's going to score here," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"That shows what sort of player we've got there. I'm really enjoying seeing him develop.

"He didn't have the easiest of starts, but he's a perfect education for any player that joins the club.

"He's worked hard, he's got his head down and he's reaped the rewards, And there's a lot more to come from him."

Image source, Rex Features

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris believes Trai Hume's red card was "harsh" and made it tough for his side in their 2-1 loss at Bristol City.

Hume was dismissed on seven minutes for bringing down Nahki Wells as the last man, before Robert Dickie and Ross McCrorie won the game following Eliezer Mayenda's opener.

The Black Cats have already secured a play-off place but Le Bris was frustrated by the decision despite praising his side for their reaction.

"It was a harsh decision from the referee. We have to accept it," he said, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It changed the dynamics of the game; we started well with confidence

"After the red card, we managed the situation properly and defended well. It was tough to maintain the level. We know you can score from long shots and mistakes in the box. That was the case twice.

"We tried to win the game but we want the players in the best shape. We are building the squad and team with this opportunity because we have secured the play-offs and that was the main objectives."

Le Bris was pleased with Mayenda's contribution and says the team can take heart from the display.

"In the last few weeks, Eliezer has shown he is really connected to the game and his good qualities.

"We can't forget this; the outcome of the game is disappointing but at the same time we can be confident."

With Sunderland already assured of a play-off place and almost certain to finish no lower than where they are now - fourth - Regis Le Bris's side just need to keep things ticking over during their remaining four games of the regular season and steer clear of any major injuries.

Bristol City, 12 points behind the Black Cats in fifth, are also looking good for a top-six finish and will do everything they can to protect their four-point cushion to the chasing pack in these next four games.

Here are the key stats ahead of their meeting on Good Friday (15:00 BST).

• Bristol City are unbeaten in their past four league games against Sunderland (W1 D3) since a 3-2 defeat back in August 2022.

• Sunderland have won on two of their past four away league visits to Bristol City (D1 L1), more than they'd won in their previous 15 games at Ashton Gate.

• Bristol City have won each of their past three league games on Good Friday, beating Stoke in both 2021-22 and 2022-23 and Leicester last season.

• Only Grimsby Town (41) and Blackpool (38) have won more games in Football League history on Good Friday than Sunderland (36).

• Among each side's past 10 games in the Championship, only Burnley (24) have accumulated more points than Bristol City (19 – W5 D4 L1).

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has urged fans to "manage expectations" for the remaining games of the Championship season.

Some have voiced concern about the The Black Cats' recent results following a bore draw against Norwich City and a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea City.

"At this stage of the season we have to be really proud of the team," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I think it's a really good reminder because we have 76 points so far.

"I think it shows that team did very well. It's a little bit of a strange period because we worked this season with a small group due to many injuries, for example, and now to be competitive in this part of the season we need fresh bodies."

The Frenchman has stressed the importance of managing players' fitness in the run-up to the play-offs.

"We need fresh heads so it's important to manage the squad, to rotate the players, to give opportunities for young players," he added.

"I think they deserve it because they have worked well and they need support through this period.

"At the same time for the others, we need to manage their bodies to avoid rushing the process for their recovery."

Le Bris named Jobe Bellingham, Dan Ballard and Leo Hjelde as examples of players whose workload has needed to be managed recently but admitted that results and performances have suffered.

"The consequences are the results and probably the output, because the games we played, maybe the last two or three games, we were not as good as expected probably, but at the same time are still fourth.

"The play-offs are secured and it's another stage of the season. I can understand the reaction because the fans and supporters always want to win and it's fair. No problem with that.

"At the same time now, our main objective is clearly the two games in the play-offs and we have to be ready for these fixtures."

When BBC Radio Newcastle's commentator Nick Barnes asked Le Bris if he would urge the fans to be patient, he said: "If it's possible.

"If it's not possible they can be disappointed. No problem. I can respect that, but at the same time it's important maybe to step back to look around the full season and to understand that this stage is different.

"We still have the youngest team in the league, made the fewest substitutions, and we are in a good place. So manage expectations."

You can listen to more from Regis Le Bris on BBC Sounds.

Former Sunderland player Kieron Brady wants the club to take steps "not generally thought of as a norm in football" to help inspire the team to the Championship play-off final.

Talking to BBC Radio Newcastle after what he described as a "flat" and "insipid" 1-0 loss at home to Swansea, Brady said "there is an element of surrealism" to the Black Cats' end to the season.

"It's completely unlike two years ago when Sunderland's foray into the play-offs was very last gasp after victory at Preston," Brady said.

"It's something that most have suspected is going to be the case now for four to six to even eight weeks.

"So many of the thoughts now are on what happens once the 46 games are concluded and Sunderland make their way to one of Coventry, West Brom, Bristol City or Middlesbrough for the first leg."

"For the second leg, the club should be in discussion with supporters now about making the atmosphere as conducive as possible to Sunderland navigating a path to Wembley. That for me is a big thing. I've been at the Stadium of Light when the fans should have got an assist for a goal.

"I've never understood why the notion of a 12th man has never ever been explored further and greater communication hasn't taken place between supporters groups and the club."

Brady thinks Regis Le Bris' side could take some inspiration from fierce rivals Newcastle in terms of using fans to spur on the team.

"Because of the work I do for the Premier League, it takes me quite often to St James' and there's no doubt that a lot of the more productive and positive performances that Newcastle have given, have been enhanced by lulls which are then followed by a huge surge of noise.

"That is something that is much more likely to encourage the players in any given moment, particularly if they're going through a period that's challenging."

Brady added: "It's just something that would be worth exploring because on Saturday against Swansea, the 12th man was poor.

"If we can say all 11 others that took to the field were poor, why can't we say that the 12th was equally uninspiring? There is a reciprocal element to this where the inspiration goes both ways.

"I just think with this knowledge that you're going to be playing at the Stadium of Light in the second leg and have three-four weeks ahead to plan for it, try and cover every single eventuality. Even the ones that aren't generally thought of as a norm within football."

Listen to more from Kieron Brady on BBC Sounds.

Harrison Jones is the latest academy product to break into the first team at Sunderland. The Championship's youngest team fielded five homegrown players in the starting XI against Swansea.

After making his first league start for the Black Cats, 20-year-old Jones is looking to follow in the footsteps of captain Dan Neil in living out his boyhood dream of representing the club he supports.

"I've been in the crowd many, many times myself," the midfielder told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"I know what they want to see on the pitch so it's what I try to emulate.

"Working hard, I think that's just an absolute given. To represent Sunderland you have to work your socks off and play fast attacking football which we tried to do, it just didn't create the goal."

Although the result did not come for Regis Le Bris' side as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat, they are safe in the knowledge they have already qualified for the play-offs.

With four games left to go of the regular Championship season, it is an opportunity to manage the squad and give young players like Jones a chance.

"I see this week being just the whole year's worth of effort which has finally allowed me to get on the pitch which I think I've deserved to," Jones added.

"Obviously the results haven't gone our way but I'm really grateful for the opportunity and really proud that I've been able to represent Sunderland which is what I've been aiming to do for many, many years now."

Prior to this first start, Jones had featured on the bench 26 times for the Black Cats this season, making two substitute appearances - something he says has been invaluable experience.

"For me, it's not just sitting on the bench, it's being involved in a first team changing room. It's seeing the level," he added.

"Seeing what the Championship looks like because not many have seen it inside the dressing room so I've learned so much from just being on the bench itself and by doing that it's allowed me to nurture and become better so when I do play, I'm able to fit right in."

Listen to more from Harrison Jones on BBC Sounds.

Sunderland are now assured of a play-off spot and a win over Swansea would guarantee them at least a fourth-placed finish

Swansea go into the game on the back of a three-match unbeaten run.

• After their 3-2 win in December, Sunderland are looking to record their first league double over Swansea City since 1963-64.

• Swansea have won each of their past three away league games at Sunderland, this after only winning two of their first 14 beforehand (D5 L7).

• Sunderland have earned 43 points in 20 Championship home games this season, their most from their opening 20 home matches of a season in one of England's top two tiers since 2004-05 (46).

• Swansea have only won one of their past nine away league outings (D2 L6), a 1-0 victory at Bristol City in February.

• Sunderland have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three league games, last keeping four in a row in the Championship in February 2007.

Former Sunderland defender Danny Collins has reflected on Milan Aleksic's struggling start to his career at the club after the 0-0 draw with Norwich City marked just his second start for the Black Cats.

Aleksic became a Black Cat in August last year, joining from Serbian side Radnicki on a four-year contract, but has made just six appearances in the Championship, becoming a perennial unused substitute as he tries to adapt to English football.

Regis Le Bris started the 19-year-old at Carrow Road on the right-hand side of midfield but Aleksic lasted 68 minutes without making much of an impact on proceedings.

"It's been a difficult one for him," Collins told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"From what I've seen prior to Norwich, I thought he had been quite good. A couple of opportunities which he hadn't taken but he was quite sharp with the ball in the middle of the park.

"I think his favourite position would be playing in an eight, and I thought Regis Le Bris would have played him there against Norwich and Chris Rigg would be the one out on the right with Patrick Roberts dropping to the bench.

"But he put Aleksic out on the right-hand side and he struggled.

"I think both wingers did. Tommy [Watson] came in on the left and neither could really get into the game, beat the full-back and look after the ball."

With their play-off status secured following the stalemate at Norwich, Sunderland's next game is against Swansea City on Saturday and Le Bris may look to experiment with his line-ups and personnel over the remaining five games of the regular season, potentially giving someone like Aleksic more opportunities.

"He's been on the bench 31 times unused this season," Collins added. "As a player that's demoralising. Week-in, week-out, he's probably thinking, 'I'm not getting on here'.

"When we're saying about Chris Rigg and Jobe [Bellingham] playing week after week and fans have been saying they look a bit leggy now, give him 10-15 minutes in games and he's not been getting that.

"Then to chuck him straight in last night and he struggled and he looked frustrated when he went off. So, interesting now to see what happens with him on Saturday.

"Does Le Bris keep Aleksic back in there? Or maybe brings him back out and he'll have to reassess, keep his head down and train again."

Listen to more from Danny Collins on BBC Sounds.