Who plays up front for Sunderland in the play-offs - #onthewhistle - video Dailymotion

Sunderland Echo

Phil discusses a major dilemma for the Sunderland head coach leading into the Championship play-offs next month

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00:00He hasn't given an obvious indication on his preference whatsoever.

00:13I think he's been really clear to say that he's in a fortunate position.

00:16I think he'd like three strikers.

00:18I think we all would, but he's in a fortunate position to have two strikers who,

00:22I know Meander's out with a concussion at the moment,

00:23but he should be back in full training this week.

00:26So two fit strikers who've scored goals this season

00:28have loads of different qualities, and I think he's always kind of said,

00:32I'll just make a decision close to the time based on what we need for the game.

00:35I think we've seen this season that he really, really likes what Isidore brings,

00:39running him behind, and we saw that was what Sunderland tried to do on Saturday,

00:42as I mentioned over and over again, in my opinion, too much,

00:45trying to find him with those long balls over the top,

00:47and I think that was probably to Sunderland's detriment.

00:50So I think, ideally, I think he would go with Isidore because of what Isidore brings,

00:53and I think when you play in those playoff games, they're going to be really open,

00:56and lots of space, hopefully, on the counter-attack,

00:58which I think is how someone will try and play it.

01:01I think he would normally go for Isidore because of that running power

01:03that we've all seen this season and some of those incredible goals he's scored.

01:07At the moment, though, I have to say that if it was tomorrow,

01:10I think he would probably have to go with Meander, wouldn't you?

01:12Because I think his confidence is a lot better.

01:15He looks like he's going to make something happen every time he's on the pitch.

01:17He probably brings you a little bit more with his back-to-goal, I think,

01:20in terms of his ability to hold the ball,

01:22to link up with other players, to sort of twist away and run at goal.

01:26I think it's going to be a really, really interesting decision.

01:28I think that, at the moment, it's really hard to read LeBris what he's going for.

01:33Ordinarily, I would say he'll go with Isidore because I think the level of trust there is huge,

01:36and as I say, I think, tactically, he likes what he brings.

01:38But at the moment, for me, I think you would have to pick Meander.

01:41I think the level of form that the two players in confidence are displaying,

01:45I think Meander would have to be the pick.

01:47So, not quite sure yet, Ian.

01:49I think Saturday's going to be a really interesting game,

01:51and that's fun to see who he picks and how the performances go,

01:53and we'll have a better idea after that.

01:54But, yeah, while I think, generally, Isidore would probably be the number one,

01:58I think, at the moment, I think Meander's got a great chance of starting those games

02:01because of the levels that he's had.

02:04So, yeah, that's the chat about the game.

02:07Hope you enjoyed it.

02:08Thanks, as ever, for your questions and comments.

02:10In short, I do think something will be better in the playoffs,

02:12but I don't think you can hide away from how poor that performance was,

02:15and there are definitely some big question marks over Summers' attack and play at the moment.

02:19They don't look like a team who can score goals,

02:21and that's obviously a big worry.

02:22Fingers crossed for a better performance on Saturday.

02:24We'll have loads of build-up and analysis during the week on Sunday on our website.

02:28Go and have a read, and I'll be back with plenty more video content

02:31after the QPR game and leading into the playoffs.

02:33Thanks for watching.

Who plays up front for Sunderland in the play-offs - #onthewhistle

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