Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey has issued an honest assessment of the team’s attacking struggles following their narrow 1–0 defeat to Brighton at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were beaten on home soil after Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh scored the decisive goal in the second half. In what proved to be a tight Premier League encounter, Sunderland found it difficult to create clear-cut chances, leaving manager Régis Le Bris’ side frustrated at the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, Brobbey admitted that Sunderland must improve their attacking output if they want to compete consistently at the top level.
“Yeah, if everybody’s watching the game, we are not creating that much,” the Dutch striker said. “It’s hard to create, but when we have the chance, we just need to score.”
Brobbey emphasized that the squad is aware of the issue and is actively working on solutions during training sessions as they look to rediscover their rhythm in the final third.
“We are training on it, and hopefully we’re going to find a solution soon,” he added.
Despite the disappointing result, Brobbey has spoken positively about his time at Sunderland since completing his move to Wearside late in the transfer window. The 23-year-old says he has settled well both on and off the pitch and feels welcomed by the club’s passionate supporters.
“Really good, really nice people here. We have a good, close team,” he explained.
Brobbey also acknowledged that consistent goalscoring at Sunderland could help strengthen his chances of returning to the Netherlands national team ahead of the next FIFA World Cup. When asked what he needs to do to boost his international prospects, his response was straightforward.
“Score goals. I just play game by game.”
The striker also shared his thoughts on playing at the Stadium of Light, comparing the experience with some of the iconic stadiums he has previously played in.
“I played in Marseille, also a nice stadium. The Ajax stadium is also a nice stadium. It’s a good stadium,” he said.
During the Brighton match, Brobbey lined up against fellow Dutch international Bart Verbruggen in goal. However, the Sunderland forward admitted that facing his compatriot had not crossed his mind before kick-off.
“As a striker you always want to score,” he said.
While Sunderland look to address their attacking issues, manager Régis Le Bris is also dealing with a growing injury list ahead of the highly anticipated Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United.
Midfielders Nilson Angulo and Enzo Le Fée both suffered injuries during training in the build-up to the Brighton match. Le Bris confirmed that Angulo could be sidelined for four to six weeks, while Le Fée may have a chance of returning in time for the derby.
“It’s a shame, but it is what it is,” Le Bris explained. “We are in a cycle where it’s difficult to manage the workload, but we still have a strong starting XI and players on the bench who can help.”
The manager also revealed that striker Wilson Isidor was dealing with an injury concern, which is why he was not brought on late in the match despite Sunderland pushing for an equaliser.
“It wasn’t possible because he got an injury,” Le Bris said. “We could have pushed him, but it was risky. At the minute, we are struggling a bit and we are on the edge, but we try our best to keep the team safe.”
There was some positive news for Sunderland fans, with Reinildo expected to return to training soon, offering another defensive option for Le Bris.
As Sunderland prepare for the crucial Tyne-Wear derby, Brobbey and his teammates will be hoping to sharpen their attacking edge and turn their performances into goals when it matters most.