Regis Le Bris expressed sympathy for Chris Rigg following the Sunderland midfielder’s early departure in yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, as the latter’s maiden Premier League start was cut short due to a tactical reshuffle.
With Habib Diarra sidelined by a muscular injury, Rigg was handed his first top-flight starting opportunity. Unfortunately, his time on the field was brief as manager Le Bris decided to make a tactical adjustment after Reinildo Mandava’s dismissal, opting for defensive reinforcement by introducing Dan Ballard and shifting to a five-man backline.
Le Bris clarified that Rigg’s substitution was not a reflection of his performance, acknowledging the midfielder’s solid display during his 37 minutes on the pitch. He expressed confidence in Rigg’s abilities and believes the teenager will have more chances to showcase his talent in the Premier League.
Despite the setback of playing with ten men, Sunderland managed to salvage a point in the match. Wilson Isidor equalized after Matty Cash’s opener, securing his third goal of the season. Le Bris praised Isidor’s performance and emphasized the importance of healthy competition among their forwards, with Eliezer Mayenda and Brian Brobbey also in contention for starting roles.
Le Bris highlighted the need for all three strikers to maintain a high level of performance and noted the positive impact of healthy competition within the squad. He hopes that the success of Isidor in the recent match will motivate Mayenda and Brobbey to excel when their opportunities arise.
