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Ex-EFL attacker Sam Parkin has hailed Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, but insisted that he has doubts if the Black Cats will be able to compete with the likes of Sheffield United and Leeds United over a full season.
The Championship outfit made a fantastic start to their league campaign this year and found them at the top of the table at one point.
Their recent form, however, has pushed them five points below league leaders Sheffield United as the Black Cats have won only once in their last eight league games.
Parkin insisted that he has doubts over if Sunderland will be able to compete with teams of the calibre of Sheffield United and Leeds over an entire season.
However, Parkin is of the view Black Cats boss Le Bris makes up for that difference with his tactical prowess.
“The reality is that Sunderland are probably just short of where the big hitters are in the table”, Parkin said on the Championship Check In show.
“But it is not to say that they cannot because I think the coach makes up that difference a little bit.
“I am not sure you are going to get too many, from what we have seen, better coaches, better tactical set-ups than what Regis Le Bris is doing.
“But, whether you can match the calibre of Sheffield United and Leeds’ squads over a 46 games season, that is doubtful.”
On Saturday, the Black Cats will try to secure all three points when they face Welsh side Swansea City in the league.
