"It's mental" - Claim made on future of Regis Le Bris at Sunderland AFC | OneFootball

Sunderland have been told not to dismiss Regis Le Bris after a poor run of form

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Despite finishing fourth in the Championship and securing a place in the play-offs, Sunderland’s end to the season was catastrophic.

Although an argument can be made that the Black Cats knew they couldn’t realistically finish higher or lower than fourth at the start of the run-in, losing five straight matches and sitting bottom of the form table isn’t what anyone at the club would’ve expected.

Sunderland were the division’s runaway leaders in the early part of the campaign but as time went by, saw their progress slowly pegged back by the likes of Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United.

With a play-off semi-final to contest against Coventry City later this week, defeat would leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Black Cats’ faithful, who have had to endure sub-par performances from a team that looked set to challenge for the title at one point.

If that scenario becomes reality, there is a possibility that manager Regis Le Bris would come under fire.

The 49-year-old joined the North East outfit last summer and on the whole has been a success, but such a dismal end to the campaign will more than likely be scruitinised if they fail to dispatch the Sky Blues.

“Not a chance” – Sunderland issued firm stance on Le Bris situation

Despite questions around Le Bris starting to swirl, Football League World’s resident Sunderland fan pundit, Jack Austwicke, believes that in his eyes, there are no doubts surrounding the manager’s future.

“There is absolutely not a chance (Les Bris gets sacked),” exclaimed Jack. “I cannot believe this is even a thing. It's mental.

“We’ve had our best season in years, our highest finish, we've competed really well for most of the season with teams who have parachute payments and ridiculous amounts of money, unbelievable budgets, and we've been by far and away the fourth-best team in the league.

“The expectation at the start of the season was not to be anywhere near the play-offs, or maybe to just sneak in them.

“So, to now have a good chance of being promoted, he's done brilliantly and he 100% deserves another chance if we don't go up this year. I'm amazed that the idea is even floating around.”

Another crack of the whip for Le Bris could prove decisive next season

If Sunderland’s play-off campaign ends in heartbreak, some may call for Le Bris to be relieved from his duties at the Stadium of Light, however, chances are the Frenchman will get another go at it again next season.

Up against the might of Leeds, Burnley, and Sheffield United, battling for automatic promotion was always going to be a tough ask, and perhaps the Black Cats’ exceptional form earlier on in the season created a false illusion over their true capabilities.

Therefore, failing to achieve a promotion that wasn’t touted before the campaign would be unfair to hold against Le Bris. That said, the manner in which Sunderland’s form has spiralled is a cause for concern.

Defeats to Swansea City, QPR and Oxford United are inexcusable for a team that has shown such promise as the Black Cats. In the past, taking good form into the play-offs has been shown to be worth its weight in gold, sometimes playing more of a role than a team’s outright ability.

If this comes back to bite Sunderland in the play-offs, it will sting. Questions will be asked of Le Bris. However, it would feel harsh for time to be called on his stint at the Stadium of Light following what has been, on the whole, a great season for the club.