Régis Le Bris
Sunderland suffered a 2-1 defeat against Hull City in their latest pre-season friendly, but manager Régis Le Bris remains optimistic about his team’s development. Despite taking the lead through Simon Adingra, Sunderland conceded goals to Nathan Tinsdale and Abu Kamara, the latter coming after significant changes to the lineup. Le Bris acknowledged the challenges but highlighted the improvements his team has made since their previous match against Hearts.
Régis Le Bris said: “I think it was a good test. The pre-season is set to create new habits through different experiences, so we tried to build our game model with new players and we need to live different experiences. This was the case at Hearts and we struggled to deal with direct play, we managed this situation with more efficiency here so we are growing as a team. We need two or three more games to be ready. We are in our learning process and we need negative experiences. The game against Hearts was really useful because of what it showed about intensity, fighting spirit. The Sevilla and Sporting games were slower and about control, we were good in this area but the reality of the Premier League will be intensity as well. We faced this new problem and it was obvious today that our players had learned, so we are learning.”
Le Bris was particularly pleased with Simon Adingra’s performance, as the winger scored his first goal for the club. Assisted by Chemsdine Talbi, Adingra’s contribution highlighted the potential impact of Sunderland’s wingers, though Le Bris emphasized the need for patience as they continue to develop their understanding with teammates.
Le Bris said: “We believe that these two wingers will have a huge impact for our game and against the opposition defence, but they need time. To create references, to understand the connection with their teammates. And this is in games as well as in training.”
Despite the encouraging signs, Sunderland still faces several challenges, notably in strengthening their squad. The search for a new goalkeeper and central defender continues, although the imminent arrival of Granit Xhaka is expected to bolster the team significantly. Le Bris acknowledged the difficulties of not having a complete squad but remains focused on maximizing the potential of the players currently available.
Le Bris said: “I would like as a manager the full squad available from scratch but we know this is never the case. We know the rules of the market which will run until the end of August, so our main focus is to work with our players, the players we have available. At the minute, they are working well.”
As Sunderland continues their pre-season preparations, Le Bris remains committed to managing the situation effectively, recognizing the varying readiness levels among players. The manager is confident that experienced players like Reinildo will adapt more swiftly, while younger players will benefit from the learning curve presented by these pre-season challenges.
About The Author
