Alan Browne stepped into an unfamiliar role as a makeshift right-back for Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, a decision born out of necessity rather than strategy. The club found itself grappling with a mounting injury crisis in defence, forcing head coach Regis Le Bris to think outside the box when selecting his starting lineup against Millwall. With key players like Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese, Dan Ballard, Leo Hjelde, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins all unavailable, speculation swirled about how Sunderland would manage to patch up their backline. There were whispers that Joe Anderson might be given a shot at redemption, that young Oli Bainbridge could be thrown into the deep end, or even that Le Bris would shift to a back five, possibly deploying the industrious Romaine Mundle as a left wing-back. However, the solution turned out to be both simpler and more unconventional.
Rather than a tactical overhaul, Le Bris opted for a bold reshuffle. Alan Browne, who had never played in defence for Sunderland, was deployed at right-back, while Trai Hume—who had been a rock-solid presence all season—was shifted to the left to cover for the absent Cirkin. It was a gamble that ultimately paid off handsomely. Hume delivered a stellar performance, not only scoring the winning goal with a well-taken volley at the back post from a Patrick Roberts cross but also displaying the same tenacity and composure that have endeared him to Sunderland fans since his arrival from Linfield three years ago.
Meanwhile, Browne, despite being thrust into an unfamiliar position, handled the challenge with remarkable composure. Given his extensive experience in the Championship and reputation for resilience, it wasn’t entirely surprising that he adapted quickly. Sunderland didn’t need him to reinvent the role—just to be steady and reliable in a difficult situation—and he delivered exactly that. His defensive awareness helped neutralize Millwall’s Aidomo Emakhu, while his background as a midfielder occasionally shone through in his distribution, linking up well with Roberts and launching precise long balls over Joe Bryan.
Of course, there were moments where his lack of experience at full-back showed—occasionally drifting too centrally due to his midfield instincts—but these minor lapses were fleeting and never put Sunderland at serious risk. Alongside him, loanee Chris Mepham put in a commanding defensive display, further solidifying the backline.
What initially seemed like a short-term fix may have inadvertently become a viable long-term option. Browne was expected to merely hold the fort, yet his assured performance has sparked debate over whether he should keep his place in the side for the upcoming trip to West Brom—even if other defenders return to fitness. Le Bris sought a stopgap; instead, he may have uncovered a genuine alternative.
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