WILSON ISIDOR can exorcise his Turf Moor demons and fire Sunderland to victory at Burnley – even if it’s from the penalty spot.
The Black Cats striker, 24, went viral worldwide after now Man City goalie James Trafford saved TWO of his spot-kicks in a Championship stalemate back in January.
French forward Isidor bounced back and fired Sunderland to promotion and is already off the mark in the top-flight after scoring in last week’s 3-0 win over West Ham.
And Regis Le Bris claims he’s chomping at the bit ahead of his return to the scene of last season’s nightmare.
The Sunderland boss said: “Football is unpredictable. And I don’t know if he missed these two penalties or the goalkeeper made two brilliant saves – I think that was the case.
“This goalkeeper left, so it won’t be the same story. And for Wilson, he made a good start, scored last week, so he’s in a good spirit.”
Le Bris revealed how he and his staff had to rally round Isidor after the star’s self-described “worst day of my life”.
He said: “For footballers, and especially in these positions like the strikers and the goalkeepers, they are really expensive. And when something is going wrong, the criticism is always really focused.
“For us, as a club, as a manager, as a coaching staff, even people around, we have to understand that these positions are really strong and difficult to play.
“So support is really important. Confidence and support. We need it with our strikers and we’ll keep going because we know that is really important. And when they feel it and they are good people, they’ll give their maximum and we enjoy their goals and the way they can help the team to win games.”
Sunderland actually only scored once from five penalties last term and Le Bris is leaving it as a “surprise” as to who is on them this season.
Though he has full faith in Isidor to right the wrongs should he find himself with the opportunity again.
The French coach said: “Yeah. Players at that level need to bounce back. It’s always the case. He showed strong character so far, so it would be the case again.”
Isidor is not the only Sunderland striker heading to Burnley full of confidence with close pal Eliezer Mayenda also hitting the target against the Hammers.
And after all the talk of the 12 new arrivals over the summer, Le Bris is delighted to see his two top scorers from the last campaign hit the ground running.
He added: “It’s like a reward for them because they worked really well during this first part of the season. So I’m happy with them.”
Meanwhile, while Eddie Howe frantically searches for a new Newcastle striker up the road, Le Bris is one of the most relaxed men in the North East.
His new-look Sunderland have been bolstered by TWELVE new signings and he still hopes to make Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi No13.
Though he is delighted with what he’s already got going into the final week of the transfer window.
Ahead of today’s trip to Burnley, he said: “We don’t have much recruitment to do.
“If it’s possible to sign one or two more players maximum, we will; if it’s not possible, we’ll stay like that.”
On still trying to strengthen his backline, Le Bris added: “We’ll see. One week to go. We’ll see at the end.
“We’ll need competition, because of injuries and suspensions and different styles of play.”
Meanwhile, promotion hero Dennis Cirkin, 23, has been linked with an exit after he entered the final 12 months of his deal and talks yet to result in an extension.
On if he still had an important role to play, Le Bris said: “We stepped up as a club and as a player you have to do the same.
“Because of his injury it wasn’t possible for him to show his qualities during pre-season. We’ll see later.”
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