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“We have to be more clinical in such aspect else we have a lots of work to do and will get defeated”- Regis Le Bris names one thing Sunderland simply must improve after Bristol City draw
Sunderland fans are all too familiar with this recurring story under Regis Le Bris. The pattern is becoming almost predictable: a strong start, numerous missed opportunities, followed by a second-half decline and criticism of the head coach’s game management.
The frustration that supporters felt in recent draws against Queens Park Rangers, Millwall, and Coventry was evident again after Tuesday night’s game. Bristol City left the Stadium of Light with a hard-earned point, and Sunderland star Tommy Watson picked up an alarming injury.
At least this time, unlike the Millwall and Coventry matches, Sunderland showed some late fight, with Patrick Roberts scoring a last-minute equalizer in the 93rd minute. While late goals are often celebrated as if they were victories, this one left fans with a lingering sense of disappointment. It was another opportunity squandered, even though Sunderland still trail league leaders Leeds United by just four points.
Regis Le Bris shares in that frustration.
“I think we started well. We dominated the first half with good rhythm and tempo,” Le Bris reflected after the match. “We had chances to score, but we didn’t—again. It’s like repetition.”
In the midst of a run of six draws in eight Championship games, Sunderland are starting to feel like a team trapped in a cycle, doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.
However, Le Bris doesn’t believe tearing up his approach is the solution. Instead, he sees the way out of the slump as refining and perfecting the current plan.
Sunderland had 66% possession and managed 21 shots against a well-organized Bristol City side, but Le Bris believes his team needs to be more ruthless and ambitious, especially when facing teams that sit back and absorb pressure.
“It’s not easy to face a low block,” Le Bris said. “We know we have a lot of work to do to improve in this area. We have to be more clinical. If you don’t score, the opponent can remain in their structure, and they can counter-attack. They only need a few set-pieces to create an opportunity, which is what happened against Bristol City.”
Despite the frustration, Le Bris remains positive about Sunderland’s potential, citing their individual and collective qualities. “We need to add just 5 or 10 percent more in the final third,” he said. “The character was good because of the late equalizer. But if we want more ambition, we need to add a bit more.”
He continued, “It’s about real ambition now. We need the desire to break down defenses, be more creative, more intense, and inject the right energy into the game.”
Le Bris believes that adding that extra bit of character to their play is essential if Sunderland are to reach their full potential.
