Régis Le Bris
Sunderland is preparing for their upcoming match against Port Vale at Vale Park, with manager Régis Le Bris facing a challenging situation due to injuries and suspensions. Despite these setbacks, Granit Xhaka is expected to be part of the squad, although his playing time will be carefully managed. The team is determined to maintain their momentum following a recent victory over Leeds United.
Régis Le Bris said: “Absolutely – For Granit, we still want to stick to the plan. Game time is the first condition, we don’t want to rush that. He didn’t start at Leeds, which means something. For Port Vale, it will probably be the same idea. We’ll manage according to the game time and the pitch. We’ll see. The group will be small but we still want to go strong – the best XI as possible. It’s important for us and for the club and the fans. The group will be a bit different, yes, but still with 11, 12, 13 or 14 good players.”
Le Bris also hinted at the possibility of Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard continuing their roles in central defense, despite not featuring in the previous round against Oxford United. He emphasized the importance of adaptability, particularly in dealing with the challenging pitch conditions at Vale Park.
Le Bris said: “For players like Dan and Omar, it was a different moment against Oxford. They were both exhausted, but now they are in a good place. It’s good for the squad because they were excellent against Leeds once again. They are ready to go.”
Le Bris said: “It can’t be an excuse. We play the game full of energy. We have to adapt because you can’t play, probably, especially next to your box. It’s hard to play short because the level of risk is high, but you can’t play football. You need to adapt because it’s key in that game, but it’s not so different. At the end, you have to find a solution. We play with the pitch, so I don’t want to highlight too much this part of the game. You have to adapt and to find a solution, a creative solution. So we have to be pragmatic and with our qualities, the way the scenario, the connection between two teams will evolve. We never know. Football is still unpredictable. We’ll have to find a solution. Is it through set-pieces, direct play, 1v1? The build-up into the midfield might be difficult, so you just have to adapt and find another solution.”
Le Bris remains confident in his team’s ability to demonstrate resilience and fighting spirit, as they did in their recent win against Leeds. He stressed the importance of teamwork and determination, qualities that have been pivotal in Sunderland’s recent performances.
Le Bris said: “I think we are talking about basics. If you’re not able to suffer together, to defend together, to show that you want to win, you can’t exist at that level. Is it in the Premier League or for that run in the FA Cup? If you don’t put those values on the pitch, you will have problems. It started early against Everton. It was a tough week and they did really well. They pushed to win this game. In Oxford, they were disciplined and found a way to score when it was important to do it. They managed the late part of the game really well. But it’s still the same. They are experienced and they know that you have to earn it.”
As Sunderland prepares to face Port Vale, the focus will be on strategic adaptability and leveraging their strengths, despite the constraints posed by injuries and pitch conditions. The team is eager to continue their positive trajectory and deliver a strong performance for their fans.
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