'Inkings' is the word to describe the man who leads Sunderland.
'Limited fanfare' The perfect way to describe the announcement of Regis Le Bris' arrival last summer.
But to say that he hit the ground and quickly became a hero in the stadium of Light, an understatement would be. It is easy to forget that Sunderland was the most of the first third of the season, and until the defeat of mid-February against Leeds was still one of the sides to compete for automatic promotion.
Le Bris took a club that hurled last season and gave them direction, discipline and tactical nous and resolve. It is a young side, but they don't play like a young side.
There is also flexibility there. They can play with the ball, or they can work without work – as they have shown in the two legs of the semi -final against Coventry City.
Despite the ending above the Sky Blues in the table, Sunderland almost went in that tie after their finish of the season.
But the game plan was perfect, the five defeats that went to the first leg that have no influence on Le Bris or his side in the least.
Le Bris: The team has reconnected the club with its fans
Sunderland -Baas Regis Le Bris on Sky Sports:
“This club is huge, not only because of its history, but also because of the deep connection it has with its fan base.
“The club has endured years of struggle, something that many clubs go through. But this season we had the chance to bring some positive emotions.
“And it's not just about the results. It's also about our playing style, the kind of players we have in the team and the many qualities they have shown. The togetherness of the team has been incredibly important.
“The players needed a few days to recover [the semi-final]. The end of the game was absolutely excellent. The connection with our fans made it all the more special.
“Our focus continues to maintain the same process, remain connected with our game plan, be ready for the intensity that Sheffield United will bring and to manage the challenges they form. At the same time we believe in our own strengths.”
Understandable inspiration in the Stadium of Light
Sky Sports EFL -Editor Simeon Gholam:
“This season I have interviewed Regis Le Bris a few times and there is undoubtedly an atmosphere of Unai Emery about him. The comparison comes from the fact that, like the Aston Villa Baas, it is impossible to imagine that he thinks, planning or discussing something other than football.
“I asked him at the back of last year if he is able to relax and entertain the all -wasting task of being head coach, and the idea seemed to be confused.” It is my passion “was the reaction. He lives and breathes. In that respect he fits perfectly in Wearside.
“But, in the midst of the tactical brain and the desire to entertain, there is also a pragmatism rooted in him. That was shown in the victories over Coventry, where he liked it and played” ugly “to get the job done. It is that side that should predict well for him in the future.”
How Sunderland reached the final
Tactical preview: how to compare the sides
Don Goodman on the Sky Sports EFL Play-Off Preview Show:
“These are two of the more versatile, flexible coaches that are comfortable to use different systems, depending on their opponents.
“Sunderland used the 4-4-2 more consistent throughout the season, while Sheffield United has used to it more recently and with more success.
“Looking at a broader seasonal comparison between the two teams, the Liga table shows that there was a 14-point difference. In essence, that Gap is really 16 points when you deduct the two Sheffield United. But if you look at the underlying statistics, not much is separated from the sides.”
Sunderland's play-off record
Fan View: Win would pull the line under the worst Sunderland era in history
“This season has been great – watching the youngest team in the division are growing before our eyes and some of the most shameful goals I have ever seen a Sunderland team score was a real joy.
“Regis Le Bris has made me more difficult to fall in love with Sunderland than I already did, so we have a number of incredible moments that no supporter will ever forget.
“However, it is not over yet. Whether we are being promoted, this team will not define, but succeeds in returning to the Premier League after eight years, would officially draw a line under the worst period in the history of the club.
“Potential there is greatness awaiting some of these young Mavericks, and I think, for example, they are more than able to get the job done at the Wembley Stadium.”
But can they survive in the Premier League?
It is the question that is increasingly common in the past seasons, because the gap between the top two flights has become increasingly greater.
The last six teams to be promoted went down directly, in most cases without much fight. But could Sunderland last in the Premier League? It's hard to say, really.
The team is now light and the investments will not be huge. There are probably also important departure. Jowe Bellingham has been associated with a relocation, while the 17 -year -old Chris Rigg – although his influence has been taken as the season has continued – has its vovers.
The expenditure should be incredibly smart, but for a club that was hardly considered among the contenders for promotion at the start of the season, there is even a remarkable achievement in itself.
Start at 3.01 pm … but why?
The EFL play-off finals look a bit different this year with all three matches that have now been stopped a minute later than planned.
At the play -offs of last season, Every Minute Matters has already surpassed the first target of encouraging 270,000 people – three times the capacity of Wembley Stadium – to learn resuscitation. Now the campaign wants to continue by encouraging 360,000 people to use the Online Revivr tool of the British Heart Foundation and to start learning the life-saving technique by the time the play-off finals come.