Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle: "We expected this atmosphere, this style of play from our opponent.

"I think they are a good team and after the first goal, they showed that they had quality to build up under pressure, to go through our block when we were a bit opened. They created chances as well.

"After that, we created our chances. We deserved to score the second goal. We didn't and in a nice stadium like this against a good team, the momentum can shift and switch really quickly and it happened.

"So good experience. We started the game with seven players under 23 years old so they need to experience those situations against good teams to get better."

Did you know?

• Sunderland are the first English side to score inside the opening two minutes of a Europa League game and fail to go on and win the match (seven out of seven before this game).

Listen to more from Le Bris above or on BBC Sounds

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There is rarely a bad away point in European football, but Sunderland will feel they should be returning to the Stadium of Light with all three points.

After a dominant first-half display, the Black Cats looked a different side from the one that has struggled for both form and confidence in the Premier League this season.

Nilson Angulo and Malick Fofana provided flashes of attacking brilliance from either flank, and at times Sunderland threatened to overwhelm their opponents. But their failure to turn that dominance into goals ultimately cost them their perfect start in Europe.

There were, of course, mitigating circumstances. Manager Regis le Bris was without first-choice strikers Brobbey and Isidor, as well as experienced defenders Thomas Meunier and Dan Ballard, leaving him short of options as his side's energy faded in the second half.

The draw does little to derail Sunderland's hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stages, but the bigger test await in the Premier League.

Le Bris will hope the quality and intensity his side showed in spells in Poland carry over into domestic action, starting against Leeds United on Sunday.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies.

There are 18 games in both the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday - with Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland involved in the former, and Brighton the latter - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Jablonev v Brighton (17:45)

• Lech Poznan v Sunderland (17:45)

• Besiktas v Crystal Palace

• Bournemouth v AC Milan

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated. See the fixture list in full here

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki says "the plan is to show our fans the mentality has changed a little bit" against Europa League opponents Lech Poznan on Thursday night (17:45 BST).

The Black Cats are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, having taken just one win and one draw from their first seven matches, but they are holding on to an unblemished record in Europe.

Sadiki, who scored a stoppage-time winner against Torreense in Sunderland's last Europa League fixture, believes his team-mates are "ready to respond from the bad performances" at Enea Stadion.

"It has been a little bit difficult for us after the loss against Bournemouth, if I'm honest, but we've all had a good talk," Sadiki told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We have put things on the table that we need to do better.

"We have had enough of the talking though, what we do on the pitch is going to do the talking now.

"Nobody here wants to lose a game, there's no question about that. It is now a case of whether we can bounce back from this, which I think we can.

"As players, the plan is to show our fans that the mentality has changed a little bit. We want to show that we are tired of losing as well, but we need to translate that into the game.

"My team-mates and I are really ready to respond to the bad performances we've had."

On balancing their brilliant Europa League start with their lacklustre Premier League performances, he said: "All of the games are important. When you're fighting on four fronts, like we are, you want to win everything.

"There isn't a question between Europa League, Premier League or FA Cup - every game is important because we are fighting to win everything."

Listen to the rest of the pre-match interview below or listen on BBC Sounds

Sunderland are preparing a renewed bid to sign Sporting and Mozambique winger Geny Catamo, 25, in the January transfer window. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Lech Poznan at Enea Stadion (kick-off 17:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• No sidelined players will recover in time for Thursday's European tie in Poland, but striker Brian Brobbey "should be ready" for Sunday's game against Leeds.

• Le Bris implied there will be squad rotation like there was against Torreense last week as it's "important to balance the workload" with the Premier League.

• On the squad reaction to losing to Bournemouth: "When we lose games, we are not happy. This team has emotions and cares. It is important to work together and be tough with each other, telling the truth when necessary."

• He said "the next game is always the most important one" in response to whether the match against Leeds is their main focus given they have six points in Europe already.

• On opponents Lech Poznan: "They are a good team, so we expect a good game. They have a clear style of play. We know the Premier League and the players more or less, so here is a new experience."

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has supported Pascal Struijk's red card against Sunderland - despite the Brighton defender having his suspension overturned on appeal.

Struijk was sent off after 57 minutes at the Stadium of Light when he was adjudged to have fouled Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor as he tried to run on to a through-ball.

Referee Thomas Bramall did not give a foul initially, but he was sent to the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR), Neil Davies, who deemed the Dutch defender had denied Isidor an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

Brighton successfully challenged the red card at a Football Association disciplinary commission, meaning he was available for Sunday's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace - though he missed the game through injury anyway.

The three members of the FA commission unanimously determined that Isidor "had not taken control of the ball and the pass was clearly going to run through to the goalkeeper".

Yet the KMI Panel, upon which five people sit, came to the opposite conclusion, with both votes split 3:2.

It decided Bramall was incorrect not to give a foul and a red card, and the VAR was right to intervene.

Only two panellists felt the intervention was "incorrect due to the subjectivity of whether Isidor would gain possession" before goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

The KMI Panel features three former players or coaches, plus one representative each from the Premier League and Pro Ref.

BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Nick Barnes says Sunderland's performances in their three successive Premier League defeats means "people are getting very twitchy," making it "anxious times" for supporters.

Listen to what Nick Barnes, Simon Pryde and Marco Gabbiadini have to say by pressing the play icon above, or find on BBC Sounds here

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says Nordi Mukiele's comment about the side becoming "arrogant" might have "come across a bit stronger than he intended" following the Black Cats' 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth.

Despite winning their opening two Europa League games, Regis le Bris' side are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and haven't recorded a league victory since beating Fulham on 30 August.

"Mukiele's had a bit of stick from certain individuals, so I think he was just speaking from the heart," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle. "He was also speaking a foreign language, so maybe it came across a bit stronger than he intended.

"He is absolutely right, though. It is a different season. We've played a number of the top sides in our first seven games, which does make things more difficult, but we do look quite different.

"Le Bris is having problems with his wide players. It appears he doesn't know who to play. We've seen him try to rotate and make changes, while giving players rest and firing other players up at the same time.

"It isn't an easy job - and we have to remember it's a new challenge for him as well. They are all in this together and the only way to start moving forward is by continuing to stick together.

"Sometimes you do have to call each other out or kick someone up the backside. I've got no issue with that because it is part of the game."

Listen to the full conversation above or on BBC Sounds here

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We asked you what you think has been going wrong for Sunderland so far this season, with the Black Cats currently bottom of the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Denise: Apart from the Bournemouth game, we've actually been playing some brilliant football. Our biggest problem has been struggling to consistently score goals and this has led to frustration and a loss of concentration.

Steven: Lack of experience in the summer transfer market and injuries haven't helped, but I'm genuinely worried we will be back in the Championship next season.

Robin: We should only have qualified for Europe if we intended to strengthen the squad. We can't cope with games every two to three days. We don't have any strikers or game-makers. The manager is showing teams in Europe how good he is when he gets the sack from Sunderland.

Stephen: Our woeful display against Bournemouth has sent us into panic mode. We've had some tough opponents and handled them well. We do struggle to create goalscoring opportunities and this unsettles us. Our defence isn't the rock it was last season and, again, this unsettles us. If we can keep our composure I believe we'll come good again.

Lucy: The problem for Sunderland right now is Chemsdine Talbi not starting. We all know that we want to play the strongest team, but our best winger is sitting on the bench. Regis le Bris knows what Talbi can do so why is he still on the bench? Yes, he was rumoured to be going, but he stayed so maybe he should possibly get game time.

Football journalist Rory Smith says Sunderland could struggle to balance European football with their Premier League campaign, warning that the club may not have the squad depth required.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Smith said the transition could prove difficult in their first season.

"My mate who is a Sunderland fan, when they got into Europe, one of his first thoughts was they don't have the squad for that," said Smith.

"It's really difficult making that transition for the first season."

Sunderland fan and former England captain Steph Houghton agreed that squad depth and recruitment will be key, insisting it is not just about having enough players, but bringing in the right quality."

Houghton suggested European qualification could help Sunderland attract more players to strengthen the squad but stressed that Premier League survival must come first.

"If we're in European football, staying in the Premier League is a must," she said.

Listen to the full episode now on BBC Sounds

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Sunderland fan Eleanor McCabe has been discussing what is going wrong at the Stadium of Light after another defeat in the Premier League against Bournemouth on Sunday.

"I don't think it can be pinned down to any one thing but something is not clicking at the moment," she said.

"I believe our injury crisis is caused by a lack of recruitment in the summer. You think about the players we let go, like [Eliezer] Mayenda and [Lutsharel] Geertruida, and they would have walked in to that starting XI.

"You also look at some of the attacking players we had on the bench who would have made an impact.

"I don't know what it is, but something needs to change and fast."

What do you think it is that's "not clicking" for the Black Cats so far? What needs to change?

Let us know here

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Former Sunderland defender Gary Bennett shared his full-time analysis with Nick Barnes after the Black Cats 2-0 loss at Bournemouth.

"At full time you're looking at the game and thinking what positives can Sunderland take from it? The positive for me is that it only remained 2-0, and Robin Roefs performance. We have got a problem," Bennett said.

"It's very concerning, you think about the starting XI, the shape, the intensity of the game. We can't continue, I've said this week in week out, we keep making mistakes and we keep doing it. When are we going to learn?

"You expect the two centre-backs to be big and strong, you know, hard to get by. Evanilson just bundles his way past them for the first one and he did for the second one too. We couldn't deal with it.

"You look at Kevin Danso and think is he fit? It didn't look like he was. Omar Alderete, was he fit? I mean as in to recover and get back.

"You look at the first half and we conceded early doors, second half we conceded in the first three minutes. That tells you something. That tells you we are not focused or concentrating on the game. Whatever was said at half time didn't work."

Listen to more talk around Sunderland on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Malcolm: Another good team performance following on from the victory over Sturm Graz on Thursday. Evanilson led the line superbly with an assist and a goal as well as his tireless workrate. The defence looked solid, not allowing Sunderland any clear-cut chances. Got to feel for the Sunderland fans making that long journey and not seeing a performance from their team.

Mikeh: Much improved against a woeful Sunderland, but missed chances are a bit concerning. Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier were terrific. Bring on Milan!

Gary: Marco Rose, like Andoni Iraola, needs time for the team to understand his preferred style of play. It will come good for him, I am sure. Evanilson could be central to Rose's style of play. I hope he is showing signs of doing so with his goals in recent games.

J: Bournemouth are getting better but in January they need to buy at least two more defenders. The squad should have been increased before the season started to take into account possible injuries and the extra matches in Europe.

Sunderland fans

Stephen: The Bournemouth game has demonstrated the club needs a massive rethink - we are sleepwalking into a terrible season. Bournemouth, who also played on Thursday, ran rings around us and we had no answers.

Denise: We've lost games and played well. The Bournemouth game was different, we were absolute rubbish. I know a single bad performance does not define our overall skill level and every player has matches where nothing clicks, but we are consistently making the same mistakes and don't appear to be learning from them.

Kevin: The club need to decide now - European jollies or Premier League survival. Field teams accordingly. I prefer Premier League survival - we need to build on last year.

Jura: Absolutely embarrassing. We were ragged, lethargic, sloppy, disorganised. If we don't find answers soon, it's Championship football for us next season.

Chris McKenna
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

"Arrogant" and "not good enough".

Nordi Mukiele offered a brutally honest verdict about why Sunderland have struggled so far this season, following their impressive return to the Premier League last term.

The Black Cats defender had his say after a 2-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday. It was Sunderland's fourth Premier League loss in a row and leaves them second bottom in the table.

Only those inside the club can answer Mukiele's "arrogant" claim after the Black Cats' drop-off in results and performance.

They surprised everyone last season by qualifying for the Europa League at the first time of asking after eight years away from the top flight.

"I think this game is just what we are looking [like] from the beginning of the season," Mukiele told Sky Sports. "We are not good enough.

"Why? I don't know. Maybe because we became arrogant, this is what I think."

Sunderland head coach Regis le Bris was not quite as damning but still disappointed.

"We were below the level, it's really clear. It's hard to take, hard to digest," Le Bris told Sky Sports.

"It's very painful because we were not Sunderland and it's not acceptable."

After seven games last season, Sunderland had 11 points and were ninth in the table having won three, drawn two and lost two.

At the same point this term, they have four points with one win, a draw and five defeats.

"We won't find excuses," said Le Bris. "We have a busy schedule. We want to embrace the challenge, but the position at the minute is not good."

Sunderland's league form so far points to a relegation battle, but in Europe they have a 100% record after wins over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and second-tier Portuguese outfit Torreense.

They have now lost both games in the immediate aftermath of their Europa League outings, although one of those was an eight-goal thriller against unbeaten league leaders Manchester City.

Read more on Sunderland's performance here

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris, speaking to Sky Sports: "Tough game, disappointing game, really clear.

"We were below the level, it's really clear. It's hard to take, hard to digest. It's very painful because we were not Sunderland and it's not acceptable."

On what he wants to see from his team: "Reaction. We will have ups and downs in the season, this one is a big down. I'm very disappointed for the fans. They were with us until the last minute, but they were not on the pitch, which is a big problem in the Premier League because the opponent is strong. They are relentless. If you make mistakes, they will seize them, and it was the case today."

On whether he's worried: "To be fair, I'm always worried because it's my job to find the little problems and try to help the players to go higher. Today the job will be massive because it was a bad game. We won't find excuses. We'll keep working hard, stay humble. We know our position in this league. We have a busy schedule. We want to embrace the challenge, but the position at the minute is not good.

"We were clear in the dressing room. The players know that they were not at the level. I am with them 100 per cent. From that point, we want to show energy, we want to show belief, we want to show more from the team like Sunderland used to be and today wasn't the case."

Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think this game is just what we are looking [like] from the beginning of the season, to be honest with you. We are not good enough. If we deserve to be where we are today, definitely.

On why Sunderland are not good enough: "I don't know. Maybe because we became arrogant, this is what I think. It's just the beginning, football is like this. You can accept and just stand up and go back to work. If I believe we can go back to the top again, yeah, I believe this.

"It depends about what we really want, and this starts in training because we don't do enough, and after you can see it on the pitch. You cannot lie about football and today, I don't want to say we didn't want to win this game, but it didn't look like we want something.

"We just have to work hard to be back where we were like last season because, right now, this is not us, this is not Sunderland and I just think we have to sit and look inside the mirror, me first, I am trying to get better.

"It is difficult at the moment. I believe if you work hard in training, the game is going to be the same, but today was not a good game for us, and we just have to fight to be better for the next."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have lost each of their last four Premier League games, their longest losing run in the competition since a five-match stint in December 2015 under Sam Allardyce.

• This season in the Premier League, no side has committed more errors leading to goals than Sunderland (5), with Omar Alderete today becoming just the third player to commit multiple this season, alongside teammate Kevin Danso and Hull's Konstantinos Tzolakis.

Listen to more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds and listen to Robin Roefs' reaction below or on BBC Sounds

Chris McKenna
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Is this second season syndrome or are Sunderland struggling to deal with juggling European football and domestic duties?

They have now lost both their league games on the weekend after dates on the continent in the Europa League, albeit the previous one was an eight-goal thriller against league leaders Manchester City.

They have also had some tough fixtures so far including that trip to City as they have also faced champions Arsenal and in-form Brighton.

Yet after seven games last season as a newly-promoted side they had 11 points and at the same stage this term they have just four.

They had just three shots across the whole game and never tested Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic while the Cherries should have scored more from their 29 attempts.

This defeat may be put down to Kevin Danso's early errors and a gift of a second goal but head coach Regis Le Bris will hope last season's impressive form soon returns as they have now lost five games already and are struggling.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.