Phil Smith discusses all the big talking points in his Q&A with readers after Sunderland's narrow defeat to Bristol City
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00:00Let's answer your question, Corey, because there's one that a few people have asked me about over the last few weeks,
00:04and I think it's a really good point.
00:05So, is it too late in the season to try getting Wilson Isidore minutes at left wing until Mundell returns?
00:11They said it was his natural position when he came over.
00:13If Mundell pulls up with his hamstring again in the playoffs, it might be good to have another quality option there.
00:18So, this is a really, really interesting question, and one that I, yeah, I would like to see it,
00:24in terms of, I think the first thing to say is that the Brees definitely sees Isidore as a striker.
00:31In the championship, I think one of the things he decided quite early was that the pace of the game,
00:36the intensity, Isidore's ability to run in behind and stretch the game,
00:40he thought was really well suited to playing up front in the championship.
00:43So, I think that he'd be really, really loath to move him in the playoff campaign.
00:48I think if Isidore's on the pitch, he wants him up front.
00:50However, I do totally agree with you, Corey, in that it's a position he's played before.
00:54It's potentially a position where you're going to be slight on options, so why not try it?
00:58So, I do agree with that. I think it might be a really good idea just to try it a little bit and see what it looks like.
01:02The challenge at the moment is, is that because of Jadon Dynes, not going to be fit this season,
01:07LaBrees is really, really trying to manage Isidore on the end of his minutes,
01:10because he can't afford for one of them to get an injury for the playoff campaign.
01:14Because whoever doesn't play in the playoffs, and there's a big debate over that at the moment,
01:17the other one is going to be the first substitute, the real game-changing player.
01:20So, I think at the moment, he's quite loathe to have them on the pitch for large spells at a time.
01:25I know you saw a little bit of it yesterday, but for Monday, because he's played 90 minutes,
01:29I would expect Meander to drop out and Isidore to go up front.
01:32So, I think there's a little bit of an issue at the moment in terms of squad management,
01:35in that I don't think he wants to have them on the pitch for quite a long time.
01:38But I think it's a good shout, Corey, just in terms of you going into the playoffs,
01:42you know, it might be a position where you need another option.
01:44Can you try it? Is it a way to get Isidore and Meander on the pitch,
01:47even if it's only for half an hour?
01:49So, I will ask about that, the next opportunity I get.
01:53So, keep an eye on that over the next couple of weeks.
01:54I will ask about that.
01:55I think it's unlikely, is my point.
01:57I think that Labrisa sees, especially in the Championship,
02:00Isidore very much as a centre-forward.
02:02But I will ask, because I think it's a fair point.
02:05I think it's a fair point.