AliousSunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has spoken out following his side’s worrying end-of-season dip in form, describing the run-in as a “strange period” in which early success may have inadvertently disrupted their momentum.
Despite sealing a Sky Bet Championship play-off spot with a draw at Norwich City back on matchday 41, the Black Cats stumbled to five consecutive defeats to close out the regular season, culminating in a final-day loss to managerless Queens Park Rangers at the Stadium of Light.
Still, Sunderland ended the campaign in fourth place and will now face Frank Lampard’s Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals. Coventry head into that clash buoyed by a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, while Sunderland’s late-season form has raised concern among fans.
Responding to the growing sense of pessimism around the club, Le Bris acknowledged the worries but urged supporters to maintain perspective. “I understand the concerns, but it’s important to remember where we were a year ago,” he said. “This group has demonstrated incredible potential and character this season—that doesn’t vanish overnight.”
Le Bris pointed to the early clinching of a play-off spot as a potential factor in the recent downturn. “It was a unique stretch. We secured our play-off place well in advance, and with a young, compact squad, we needed to allow them some physical and mental recovery. That naturally disrupted our rhythm and the team’s usual dynamics.”
The coach admitted the team experimented with new ideas during this lull, but emphasized that Sunderland’s core identity remains intact. “We know our foundations—what drives us and what helps us perform. We’re aware of the right options for these upcoming matches.”
Reflecting on the QPR loss, Le Bris conceded that Sunderland were off the pace. “We tried to press and be aggressive, but our positioning was off. In the second half, we controlled possession but lacked the incisiveness to create clear chances, apart from Ballard’s late header.”
He acknowledged the team’s creative struggles but attributed them to the unusual circumstances rather than a loss of quality. “This is still the same squad that was generating chances consistently earlier in the season. The context has clearly had an impact.”
Looking ahead, Le Bris remains confident and positive. “We’ll have a full-strength squad available for the play-offs, and that’s crucial. Sometimes the smallest imbalance can derail performance, but now we reset. A new chapter begins, and I still firmly believe in the quality of this team.”
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