Exclusive: Sunderland sent momentum warning ahead of play-offs - "Flat" claim made | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has issued a play-off warning to Régis Le Bris amid Sunderland's poor run of recent form

Lee Hendrie has claimed Régis Le Bris has to use the last games of the regular season to give his Sunderland players momentum for the play-offs.

The Black Cats sealed their place in the play-offs with several fixtures to spare, but their form has subsequently dropped off in the lead up to the promotion shootout.

The Wearside outfit still have time to prepare for their semi-final clash, but could go into the game without momentum unless they pick up their form in their last fixtures.

Le Bris has opted to rotate in recent weeks in order to keep everyone fresh for these upcoming games, but it remains to be seen whether this strategy will pay dividends or not.

Lee Hendrie urges Regis Le Bris to take Sunderland play-off strategy

Hendrie believes that the final fixtures of the regular season need to be used by Le Bris to put out a strong team and get results in order to gain momentum.

He is concerned about potential complacency creeping into their play-off matches, which could hurt their chances of earning promotion this year.

“I think at this stage of the season, and obviously Sunderland already got themselves into the play-offs early doors because of the season they’ve had, and that just obviously has given Régis Le Bris the opportunity to tinker with his squad, try and get people back fit,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“But, as we know, you get a bit complacent, you get a bit flat and I always think this going into the play-offs, with one game to go, I actually feel they will have to start thinking about what team he’s going to be picking, and try build a bit of momentum.

“They haven’t been anywhere near their best. I don’t think people are talking about them as much because they’re already in the play-offs, so I think now is the time where that squad rotation has to turn into momentum with these final two games.

“I’ll say the same about Sheffield United as well.

“I think that it’s going to be so important that they try and gain momentum. You do feel that you had to rotate the squad to try and get maximum strength from his team, and his squad fully fit to go into the games.

“But with two games to go, I think that he’s still got the opportunity to pick his best side.

“I just feel it’s got a little bit flat, and you can understand why because they were there and really they had nothing to play for.”

Sunderland will finish the Championship season fourth no matter what the results are on the final weekend of the campaign.

Sunderland need to re-energise before the play-offs

Sunderland have struggled for form in these final weeks, and it has been difficult on the team to be playing in these fixtures that don’t mean a whole lot.

But they should be using their final days of the regular season to build back their confidence ahead of a pivotal play-off campaign.

They have to test themselves, otherwise they might not be able to play at their best against their semi-final opponent due to complacency creeping in.

This has been a tricky period for Le Bris, and the next few weeks will be a real test of his managerial skills as Sunderland need to go back up a few gears if they’re to have any chance of Premier League football next season.