- Le Bris determined to respond after damaging 5-0 defeat to Forest
- Sunderland travel to already-relegated Wolves on Saturday
- Crucial run-in begins with four season-defining fixtures
Régis Le Bris is targeting a response as Sunderland travel to already-relegated Wolves following last week’s 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Sunderland shockingly conceded four first-half goals against relegation-battling Nottingham Forest last Friday in a 5-0 defeat few saw coming.
The result dealt a significant blow to their hopes of European qualification for next season.
However, Régis Le Bris has since delivered his verdict on the heavy loss and is now demanding a positive response.
Le Bris offers honest assessment of defeat
The Frenchman spoke to the media earlier today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Molineux, with much of the focus on last Friday’s 5-0 defeat.
Le Bris was honest about his side’s performance and said: “First of all, a defeat like that hurts. I think it was a reminder and a warning about how demanding this league is. Even if we started the game reasonably well, we turned the ball over too many times and got exposed on set pieces and counterattacks. Forest were able to punish and the game was gone.”
His side have conceded nine goals in their last two league games, but the Sunderland manager was quick to remind everyone of the fine season they are enjoying in their first year back in the Premier League for over eight years. He said: “At the same time, I want to keep perspective, this group has achieved a lot in two years. We are a newly promoted side, we have beaten Newcastle twice, and got 46 points at this stage. It’s hard to digest, but it’s the most competitive league in the world.”
Wolves clash offers perfect opportunity for response
Sunderland could hardly have asked for a better opponent this weekend as they look to respond against already-relegated bottom side Wolves.
Rob Edwards’ side have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, a run that Sunderland will be hoping to add to.
However, they have recorded impressive home victories against Liverpool and Aston Villa since the turn of the year, and Le Bris was quick to highlight the threat they still pose. He said: “They have had a difficult season, especially away from home, but they’ve had good results recently at home. Even against Spurs, the game was tight.
“They are trying to generate momentum for next season, so they are playing with freedom and they are still dangerous, it’s clear. This is the Premier League, you can have a difficult season but still have quality.”
Entering final four games of the season
Had Sunderland beaten Forest last Friday, they would have moved level on points with Bournemouth in seventh, with only goal difference likely keeping them out of the European places.
However, that defeat means they now sit in 12th, three points off of Bournemouth in an extremely congested European-chasing mid-table.
Whilst a difficult task, if Sunderland could go on to win their last four league games in a row, it would give them a great chance to qualify for Europe for the first time in over 50 years.
The Wearside club do have a difficult run of fixtures however, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton to face after their trip to Molineux.
