Mepham had failed to start just four of the final 41 matches of Sunderland’s regular Championship season, but the Bournemouth loanee was omitted from the side that lined up at the CBS Arena last night.
Ballard was handed a first start in two-and-a-half-months after proving his fitness as a second-half substitute in the previous weekend’s home defeat to QPR, and responded with a superb defensive display as Sunderland earned a 2-1 lead to take back to Wearside ahead of Tuesday’s second-leg decider.
“Chris Mepham has been really impressive this season and played a lot of football,” said Le Bris. “Every player in our backline has our own qualities and I think that in this scenario, against this team, in a semi-final, away from home especially, we needed that physicality in the box. Dan Ballard was ready to come back in and manage this situation properly.”
As well as recalling Ballard to the starting line-up, Le Bris also opted to change formation to 4-4-2 and pair Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda in attack.
Again, his changes worked perfectly, with Sunderland’s remodelled shape successfully neutering the Coventry attack, and both Isidor and Mayenda scoring in the Black Cats’ win.
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“We used it (the 4-4-2 formation) during the season,” said Le Bris. “Not often, but it was always in my mind that we could do this.
“It’s always connected with the scenario of the opponent and, in the end, it was a good decision.”
Sunderland’s first away win over Coventry in 40 years means they find themselves in the driving seat ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
Provided Le Bris’ side avoid defeat at the Stadium of Light, they will be heading to Wembley to take on either Sheffield United or Bristol City, with the former strong favourites to progress after winning the first leg of their semi-final 3-0 at Ashton Gate.
Sunderland’s players will start as favourites themselves on Tuesday, with Le Bris confident there will be no risk of complacency in the wake of last night’s away win.
“I didn’t even need to say this to the players,” he said. “The players were ready there to say, ‘It’s just halfway’. They know there is another game to play, a tough game.
“First of all, recover properly, then train properly. It is a different scenario, anything can happen in football, so we have to be ready. The players know this.”
