Sunderland AFC: Regis Le Bris can help ease Wilson Isidor fears against Plymouth Argyle | OneFootball

Wilson Isidor should be excited about Sunderland's upcoming fixture at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland supporters have to be delighted with this season as they've put behind a woeful 2023-24 to find themselves fighting at the top of the table.

Embroiled in an automatic promotion race with Leeds United, Sheffield United, and Burnley, the Black Cats stand out as the underdogs, driven by a vibrant and youthful squad.

Regis Le Bris has had them firing on all cylinders, and they have rekindled their form in recent weeks with ten points from the last 12 available.

Despite this, most Mackems will know that the New Year should have seen a 100% record with Wilson Isidor's double penalty miss costing them away to Burnley.

This may be weighing on the striker's mind, but with an upcoming fixture against second-tier strugglers Plymouth Argyle, the 24-year-old has been given the perfect chance to prove his worth to Le Bris.

Wilson Isidor's confidence could wain after Burnley and Derby fixtures

Last Friday night's fixture was one of the biggest of the season for Sunderland, and before the match, they would have likely been content with a point.

At Turf Moor, the Clarets have conceded just four goals and are yet to be defeated winning six of their 13 games.

However, despite an evenly contested fixture, Isidor was provided with two glaring opportunities as Scott Parker's side conceded a pair of penalties.

First of all, the Frenchman won a questionable penalty for himself, as Conrad Egan-Riley fouled him just outside the area. However, the referee pointed to the spot, with Sunderland's number 18's momentum carrying him into the 18-yard box.

James Trafford delayed the taking of the penalty with his antics, and the Clarets' keeper stepped up, diving to his right to deny Isidor from the spot.

A similar pattern emerged just 10 minutes later when, in the dying seconds of added time, the Black Cats were awarded a second penalty for a foul on Dennis Cirkin.

This time, Trafford feigned injury to delay the taking, and Isidor, succumbing to the pressure, saw his effort saved once again, this time in the same spot as before, with the Burnley keeper proving equal to the task.

The match finished 0-0, and the Zenit St Petersburg loanee was left to reflect on his missed chances, knowing he had let down his teammates.

In the subsequent game against Derby County, he squandered another promising opportunity, despite the victory. To add to his frustration, the one time he did find the net, his goal was controversially ruled out, with the assistant referee adjudging the Frenchman to be offside.

Plymouth Argyle will provide Isidor with an ideal test

Despite netting eight in 25 games, Isidor's confidence will be waning after successive games of missing big opportunities.

However, he couldn't have a better fixture on the horizon with Miron Muslic's Plymouth Argyle making the trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Pilgrims have had a dreadful season and currently sit bottom of the Championship. The worst part of their campaign has been their away form, with just three points from 14 fixtures, scoring a mere three goals and conceding a staggering 35.

Some of those losses have been an awful watch, with Coventry City, Bristol City, Norwich City and Cardiff City all battering them on home turf.

These figures have to interest Isidor and, despite facing a lesser team, Le Bris needs to trust his striker and hope that he can find his confidence against the Pilgrims.

If he can, then it will be of great benefit to Sunderland, who will need the French striker to be on top form in upcoming fixtures at Middlesbrough and Leeds United.

Saturday is a game to look forward to for Black Cats supporters and Isidor has to share the same view as he looks to take his tally into double figures in the near future.