Positives for Le Bris despite Sunderland's wastefulness

Sunderland registered eight shots on target against Lech Poznan in the first half [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.