Sunderland’s march towards promotion under manager Regis Le Bris has been nothing short of relentless this season. With a crucial 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Monday, the Black Cats showed not only their ability to grind out results but also their quality across the pitch. The victory was sealed by a late own goal, but Sunderland were dominant throughout the match, creating numerous chances and dictating the play from start to finish. One player who stood out was Enzo Le Fee, whose performance was nothing short of scintillating. The Frenchman was instrumental in Sunderland’s attack, terrorizing the Middlesbrough defense with his pace, creativity, and flair, making him the standout performer on the night.

Now, with a visit from Watford on the horizon, Le Bris faces a difficult decision. His team is in excellent form, and the tactical setup has been working well, so does he stick with what’s been successful, or does he make adjustments to fine-tune his team further? The temptation to leave things unchanged is strong, especially after such an impressive showing. However, there could be room for some tweaks as Sunderland look to extend their unbeaten run and keep their promotion push on track.

The team’s injury situation has been steadily improving, with some key players returning to fitness, although not all are expected to feature against Watford. Tommy Watson, who nearly left the club on transfer deadline day, is set to return to training in the coming week, but this match will come too soon for him. Similarly, Romaine Mundle remains sidelined. On a more positive note, Ian Poveda appears to be fully recovered from his injury issues and got valuable minutes under his belt during the Middlesbrough game. Alan Browne and Jenson Seelt are also closing in on full fitness, though they may only be ready for a spot on the bench against Watford.

When it comes to the starting lineup for the Watford game, it’s expected that Le Bris will stick with the core of the team that delivered the victory against Middlesbrough. The defense, in particular, is solid, with Anthony Patterson continuing in goal. The back four of Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O’Nien, and Dennis Cirkin has been performing well, and there is little reason for Le Bris to disrupt that balance. While Dan Ballard is now fit again, it would be hard to justify changing a defensive unit that has been so effective. As a result, Ballard may have to wait his turn for now.

The midfield, however, is where Le Bris faces a more challenging decision. Enzo Le Fee’s outstanding performance against Middlesbrough has sparked calls from fans to see him play a more central role rather than out wide. Le Fee has been a key figure in Sunderland’s midfield, but many supporters feel that his talents are being “wasted” on the left wing. His vision, passing, and creativity are better suited to a number 10 role, where he can link up play and create chances for the attacking players. The problem, of course, is that someone will need to make way for this tactical shift. The most likely candidate to drop out is teenager Chris Rigg. While Rigg has had a solid season, he has appeared a little fatigued in recent weeks and could benefit from being used more sparingly, especially given the packed fixture schedule ahead. This would allow Le Fee to slot into the number 10 position, where he can have a greater influence on the game.

With Le Fee moving into a central role, this also opens up the opportunity for Eliezer Mayenda to return to the starting lineup. Mayenda, who has been impressive when given the chance, could slot in on the left wing, a position he’s played in previously. His pace and directness would offer balance and width, complementing Le Fee’s creativity in the center of the park. Mayenda’s inclusion also keeps Sunderland’s attack dynamic, giving them multiple avenues to threaten Watford’s defense.

Overall, Le Bris is likely to stick with his winning formula for the most part, making only minor adjustments to the lineup. Sunderland have been in excellent form, and with players like Le Fee in top condition, there is little reason to disrupt the team too much. The tactical shift to push Le Fee into the number 10 role could provide that extra spark in the final third, while Mayenda’s return would add another layer to Sunderland’s attacking threat.

As for the bench, Sunderland have some strong options in reserve, with players like Poveda, Browne, and Seelt all providing potential impact from the sidelines. The squad depth is growing stronger, which is a great sign as the season progresses. Sunderland’s promotion push is very much alive, and with key players starting to return from injury, Le Bris will have even more options at his disposal.

Ultimately, the focus for Sunderland is to keep their momentum going. They have been one of the standout teams in the Championship this season, and if they continue to perform at this level, they will be well-placed to challenge for a Premier League spot. With Watford coming to the Stadium of Light, Le Bris will be eager to secure another three points, but he will know that consistency and careful management of his squad will be crucial as the season enters its final stretch.