Le Bris on taking chances and getting back on top

Regis Le Bris watching Sunderland.Image source, Rex Features
  • Published

Sunderland host Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here's a recap of the main lines from Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris' pre-match news conference:

  • Defender Dennis Cirkin is available after being ruled out of the past three matches due to a wrist injury.

  • On Chris Mepham's suspension: "The back four is a big strength for us because we have many options, even with suspensions or injuries. It's the rules, and we have to deal with the rules."

  • On converting their chances: "It's the only focus we should have at the minute - how we can create more chances and how we can convert the chances we have to score. I think we have the potential, and I think we have the players in the team to do it."

  • He feels that the solution is within the team and not in the transfer window: "We talked a lot about a striker at the beginning of the season. We said if we don't have a striker, we can't score, but so far we've scored 26, so it's possible to score with other players."

  • He spoke about last week being "emotionally intense" and it being important to recover.

  • On getting back to the top of the table: "This league is not finished. It's very long, so you can struggle for a short period, which was the case, I think. But the foundations are good, so we have to believe in it."

  • On Stoke: "We face them three times in one month, so by the end, we will be best friends, I think - we will see with the results. Tough game; a good team with good players."

  • On the fans and their impact: "They deserve to have positive emotions, and we need them to give back. Sometimes it's like a circle; it can be vicious, or it can be the opposite. So we can create a new positive dynamic with just one good result."

Signed in on a browser? Hit follow to stay up to date.

Related topics