‘It’s so negative’ – Sunderland fans tell Regis Le Bris to end ‘nonsense’ Trai Hume experiment
Sunderland fans have urged Regis Le Bris to stop playing Trai Hume as a right winger after he struggled in their 1-0 loss to Liverpool.
Sunderland were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on Wednesday night as their impressive unbeaten home record in the Premier League came to an end.
The visitors won a game of few chances in the 61st minute as Virgil van Dijk climbed highest to nod Mo Salah’s corner past Robin Roefs.
Regis Le Bris‘ side have now lost three of their last four games, and thus fallen away from European contention somewhat in 11th place as it stands.
They face Oxford United in FA Cup action this weekend before hosting Fulham in their next Premier League match, with Black Cats supporters urging their manager to make one key change to his starting lineup in the games to come.
Sunderland fans do not want to see Trai Hume starting on the wing anymore
Northern Ireland international Hume is a right-back by trade, and has often played there this season despite strong competition from Nordi Mukiele and Lutsharel Geertruida.
Le Bris has experimented in recent times, however, with the 23-year-old being handed starting berths at right midfield or right wing against the likes of Tottenham, West Ham, Arsenal, and now Liverpool.
He struggled to make any positive impact in attack against the Reds, with just nine accurate passes from 15 attempts, one successful dribble and two passes into the final third.
Hume also lost possession a whopping 13 times before being taken off in the 80th minute, with many Sunderland fans taking to X to urge Le Bris to stop playing him in an advanced position from now on.
One wrote: “End this Hume RM experiment now. No slight on the lad, but it’s just so negative, and we offer nothing.”
While another said: “We need to end this Hume nonsense. Why was Talbi dropped? It felt negative from the start. Baffling. Changes next game please.“
And one fan added: “I love Trai Hume – very competent FULL BACK. However, in this role he brings nothing to the table…defensively Gakpo had a field day (in the) first half.“
Who could start ahead of Hume for Sunderland?
Hume has captained Sunderland in Granit Xhaka’s absence over the last few weeks, such is the faith that Le Bris has in his abilities.
If the Frenchman does decide to make a change to his starting eleven soon, though, then either Chemsdine Talbi or Habib Diarra could be set to start on the right flank.
Talbi has shown flashes of brilliance at times this season, with three goals in 20 Premier League games, but has only been handed 11 starts so far in the top flight.
Diarra is a central midfielder by trade, but has featured on the right wing several times this season, either from the off or midway through games, and either could be used there instead of Hume after he struggled against Liverpool.
For Sunderland’s player ratings against Liverpool, check out the expert insight on Mackem News.