Match Day Thread Nottingham Forest FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 27th September 2025 - KO 17:30

Cannot get that theme tune out of my head now

 

Soap, now there's a blast from the past was a great show.

 

Don't you start as well. It'll be in my head all day!!!

 

You've set me away humming it now

 

Understanding is a wonderful gift.

 

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/spor...-news-regis-le-bris-nottingham-forest-5334465

Régis Le Bris has admitted that he is reluctant to change formation at Sunderland despite Reinildo beginning a three-game suspension this weekend...

"Yeah, so it is an option," Le Bris said. "Now you know me, I like consistency. Because I think it's really important to keep a structure to grow and learn through this structure, through different experiences. Positive, negative, we can review the game and because the the structure is consistent, you can learn and improve through different weeks. But it's still an option depending on the opponent, how strong they are, and also injuries and suspensions to use a different structure sometimes. So we'll see."

Asked whether he was considering a switch of formation for the game against Nottingham Forest in particular, Le Bris kept his cards close to his chest.

Le Bris joked: "We'll see, I still have two sleeps before the game! I think we have to be adaptable and I think it's already the case. If you watch our game, probably we defend in a 4-4-2 in the mid-press, and when we we go deeper it's more 5-4-1. So we can start like that or or keep or we can keep the the same structure, we'll see. It's positive to have different options."

... O’Nien is fully training with the squad after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the early stages of the play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley, and is contention to make the squad when the Black Cats travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend.

There is now a vacancy within the squad, with Reinildo beginning a three-game suspension after being dismissed for violent conduct last weekend. Le Bris is confident that he has the options in his squad to cover Reinildo’s absence, with the head coach weighing up whether to bring Arthur Masuaku in or recall Dan Ballard and move another player across.

“Yeah, Luke is now connected with the the squad fully, so he's an option now. Lucha [Geertruida] as well has played centre back, right back, left back, so he's an option. We have Arthur as well, so I think for the back line, we have different options. I think when we built the the squad with the recruitment structure, the sporting direction, we thought about different options and I think we have a player to cover this position [Arthur] and we have versatility as well to to create other options depending on the scenario, the opponent, the dynamic of the squad and so on.”

 

Thanks for posting mate. Really pleased O9 is back with the squad and ready to go. Love the way RLB talks about the different options available....emphasises how we've gone all out to try to build a group of players capable of holding their own in this division.....early days,but so far,so good.

 

O’Nien will struggle to make the bench. That says a lot about the squad we now have

 

I agree this season is a learning process for all of us, managers /coaches and especially supporters. So far we have started well and playing some cracking football in the process, I now have more confidence that we are on the right track to safety.. OaU.

 

Going into this without a clue what’s gonna happen result wise

and think that says more about us than forest

HWTL

 

Going off what happened against Villa, RLB finished the game with a back 4 with Masuaku playing left back so I think he'll go with this. Even after coming on and making a difference, I reckon Ballard will return to the bench, meaning the team will be the same as last weekend apart from Reinildo. I'll go for a sneaky 2-1 win to us

 

happily take a scrappy, ugly as hell 1-0 win now,

 

Good point, didn't think of that Dan.

 

I’d happily take that in every game this season.

 

I would be happy with a draw

Now I am going to get on my high horse. Sky predictions (couldn't give a flying **** about the score) but I have read the blurb. Not once are we even mentioned. I mean how can you discuss a prediction in one side only Rant over ( I am happy to be below the radar in a way mind)

 

It's never been any different mate. Don't let it bother you....we retain the element of surprise and it'll be great to see them squirm!

 

Doesn't normally bother me but after the efforts of last week they at least deserve something

 

Sky rarely give us any credit....they're Mag based.

 

https://www.skysports.com/share/13438042

Canny read this.