REGIS Le Bris made his Sunderland players watch footage of some minor mistakes from Chris Mepham this week – so they could see how the defender took responsibility and quickly put any errors behind him.
Mepham made a hugely impressive debut for the Black Cats in last week’s win over Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light and Le Bris must decide whether to recall Dan Ballard or stick with the Bournemouth loanee for today’s game at Watford (3pm).
After his impressive debut, Mepham told of how Sunderland’s bosses had stressed the importance of his leadership and experience when he arrived on deadline day.
And the 26-year-old already has a crucial role in Sunderland’s young dressing room.
That will also be the case for new recruit Aaron Connolly, who can help to educate Sunderland’s youngsters on the lurking dangers to avoid for potential stars of the future.
Connolly has so far struggled to fulfil his potential having initially burst through in the Premier League when he was a teenager. But he can put those experiences to good use on Wearside, says Le Bris, who would prefer to not suffocate his young emerging stars.