Eliezer Mayenda gives Sunderland something Wilson Isidor can't after brave gamble

Regis Le Bris made some bold selection calls for the win at Sheffield Wedneday, not least up front

The gamble of making three unforced changes to the Sunderland starting line-up paid off for Regis Le Bris against Sheffield Wednesday. What he does next against Cardiff City will be fascinating.

Dan Ballard and Enzo Le Fee aside, swapping Wilson Isidor for Eliezer Mayenda proved successful and Alan Browne played well in midfield in place of the rested Chris Rigg. I’m not so sure about Leo Hjelde for Dennis Cirkin but in fairness to Le Bris he has to bring his squad players up to speed.

Chris Mepham and Romaine Mundle are just about like-for-like swaps for Ballard and Le Fee, who are both injured. But what was interesting was seeing a centre-forward – Mayenda – actually involved in the build-up play and touching the ball as well as scoring goals.

Isidor has scored some excellent goals this season, especially the instinctive ones where he hasn’t had to think too long. But Sky Sports have been in the habit of showing Isidor’s ‘heat map’ when he plays and let’s just say the temperature setting recently has generally been on low.

Mayenda was a buzzing presence and his electric pace was telling, while he looked more willing to venture into wider areas to get the ball, rather than plough a lone furrow down the middle. In short he was making things happen rather than waiting for them to.

The most obvious difference was Mayenda’s second goal. Trai Hume’s fantastic cross from the right was an absolute carbon copy of that which he produced against Hull City in the previous game. Mayenda was in an almost identical position to Isidor when he scored with a lovely header, whereas Isidor powered his effort wide of the goal in what was a costly miss.

As for defending, there are still moments for concern. Apart from the fact Sunderland were lucky to get away with an early handball from Hjelde in his own area which was missed – as was the handball for Mayenda’s first goal – Sheffield Wednesday missed a couple of sitters. The worst miss came from Josh Windass who should have buried a chance from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

There was also one moment where, from a free-kick, all 10 Sunderland outfield players were in the penalty box defending and one of the two Wednesday players won the ball. Dan Neil and Trai Hume challenged the same player. The zonal marking is not a full-proof way of making sure the ball doesn’t end up in your net. I would much rather see players marking opponents.

All in all, though, you have to say it was a positive outcome for Sunderland however it was they got there. And throwing in other players and utilising the squad is important.

There’s Tommy Watson to come back this week too, which will be another welcome addition. With Cardiff and Preston to come in quick succession, the next week is massive for everybody in red and white.