Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has praised Sunderland ahead of a potentially season-defining clash between the two teams on Monday night.
The Championship title race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with Leeds, Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland all vying for automatic promotion to the Premier League. It is the Whites who currently lead the chase, with the Wearsiders seven points further back in fourth.
The pair played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light in October. It is a game that is perhaps best remembered for a 97th minute howler from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier which gifted the Black Cats a last-gasp point.
Farke Unsurprised By Sunderland Challenge
Few would have predicted that Sunderland would be in the hunt for promotion. They endured a miserable campaign last season which saw them finish 16th after a host of managerial changes.
The appointment of Regis Le Bris in the summer has galvanised the team and with a 15 point gap between them and West Bromwich Albion in seventh, a play-off place looks to be the least they can expect in May. One person who isn’t surprised though is Leeds boss Farke. Speaking ahead of the game, the German said:
“No, (I’m not surprised) because Regis is a pretty experienced manager and has proven this also during his career already in Sunderland, about the potential of the club. I was fully aware before the season started that they have really good individual players, so lots of youth and energy and young talents, but also experienced players on this level who could lead the group.
“This is what they do, they play with enthusiasm, with fire, and also their individual signings, especially in the offence, are also shining. The young players are [playing] with confidence and rhythm, they’re developing more or less from week to week, and it’s a pretty good side, one of the best sides in this league, and we are pretty aware that we have to be good, especially to control their offensive players, to control their strengths in terms of counter-attacks.”
Writer’s View
There’s no doubt that Regis Le Bris has enjoyed an excellent debut season at the Stadium of Light. He has managed to get the best out of an underperforming Sunderland squad who should never have finished towards the bottom end of the Championship last season. He’s also brought in excellent signings whilst getting the best of the young contingent such as Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg. It will be an excellent game on Monday night between two of the best teams in the division.
