Le Bris addresses Cats formation debate and delivers clear message

There haven't been too many occasions this season where Sunderland's performance or approach was called into question.

- by Phil Smith

Sunderland go on the attack against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

But a disappointing and in truth quite tame defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage has led to a more significant debate about style and selection than we have become accustomed to this season.

Specifically, whether Sunderland's approach in going to a back five was too defensive and whether away from the traditional big six, Régis Le Bris should be picking a more attacking side with an extra midfielder.

Le Bris has been analysing the Fulham defeat this week and his main reflection was that Sunderland's main issue was their intensity, or rather lack of in key moments of the game.

While he didn't feel the shape always worked out of possession, it is clearly still an option he wants to use.

Fans can expect both formations to be deployed moving forward, and Le Bris stressed the importance of not losing the defensive foundation which has ultimately been the bedrock of Sunderland's strong start.

"At this level if you have to be flexible," Le Bris said.

"After that, it's a question of phases and moments.

"Probably, if we are in a deep block, in the last fixture, we were comfortable with a back five, 5-4-1.

"We were able to manage the spaces, to defend the box as well. We were really efficient.