Le Bris Must Stay – The Known Knowns

The theory of it can be applied to our current ownership group: there are known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns when it comes to the big decisions they make. Throughout the last few years, big decisions have been taken regularly with regard to the playing staff, management, and structure within the club. Most have been correct and are undisputedly directly responsible for the position Sunderland currently finds itself in.

Without doubt, there has been less success when it comes to, say, Michael Beale, but more of that in a bit. Since time immemorial, it has been the case that every summer is a big summer for the club; though that’s the case everywhere. When it comes to recruitment, there is no more important factor in how your team will perform the following season, and every side up and down the land lives or dies by their – primarily – summer trading.

These are the known knowns to the supporters. The unknown unknowns are a little murkier. The ones that we don’t really see coming, because we aren’t party to the thoughts and plans of those in power.

It’s happened on more than one occasion recently: the departure of Kristjaan Speakman, and then David Bruce, two men who have had a key role in the club’s rise since the ownership group walked through the door a little over five years ago. Big decisions, for sure – have they got it right? Time will tell – though I would say removing a man who bridges the gap between the fans, the city, and the club almost seamlessly is a major risk, the necessity of which is difficult to justify – his body of work is proof that vision and action can be a potent attribute.