Regis Le Bris knew, from day one at the Stadium of Light, that the tactics he planned to implement at Championship challengers Sunderland were always likely to be a case of risk or reward.
Tactics which were arguably best epitomised by that 2-1 win at Luton Town at the end of October.
While Romain Mundle’s stunner fired Sunderland past Rob Edwards’ side, the hosts had the more clear openings on the night. The fact that Anthony Patterson was forced into just three saves across the 90 minutes at Kenilworth Road, however, was testament to just how impressively Sunderland’s man-to-man, out-of-possession approach worked.
Not only from a defensive standpoint, either, but an attacking one too.
With Regis Le Bris challenging his players to man-mark opposition attackers rather than engage in a more unified set-up, this often allows Sunderland’s forwards the freedom and the space at the other end to make the difference, freed up from defensive responsibilities.
Le Bris, speaking at his press conference ahead of Norwich City’s trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday, admits that this was an idea he had in his head ever since taking over at Wearside over the summer.
And idea he refused to back down on, even when Sunderland’s promotion prospects dwindled during a run of six games without a win.
Regis Le Bris thinks ‘risky’ Sunderland strategy will reap rewards
“It was clear in my mind [what I wanted to do with the Sunderland squad], and I didn’t change, I think,” Le Bris tells the media.
“We defined five or six ideas out of possession and we said; ‘This is the way we want to play, even if we struggle’. For example, the man-for-man [approach] is very risky but it is the way we want to defend, home and away.”
Le Bris accepts that this can leave Sunderland vulnerable at the back.
But he trusts the likes of Chris Mepham and Dan Ballard to win their individual duels at key moments. Bournemouth loanee Mepham ‘has been sensational’, to quote board member Dave Jones.
And, on the occasions in which Mepham and co are beaten, Le Bris can then rely on the fantastic shot-stopping talents of Patterson in net.
“Probably, we will concede big changes and even goals,” the former FC Lorient coach adds. “But, if we master that phase, it will be a very strong strength for our team. And we can learn from positive experiences, and we can learn from negative experiences.”
Le Bris ‘very happy’ as Sunderland bounce back from Watford loss
Le Bris highlights the late 2-1 defeat at Watford only weeks into his tenure.
Sunderland defended excellently for the first 84 minutes, only for Dan Neil to gift The Hornets a winner when taking down Kwadwo Baah in the penalty area.
“Remember the penalty we conceded at the end, it was a shame because we mastered that phase for a long time,” Le Bris adds. “At that moment, it was difficult. [But] we learned from that experience and now we are getting better.”
Remarkably, Sunderland have lost only once in 14 games since that Vicarage Road reverse.
“For me, it was clear that the potential of the team was [big],” Le Bris concludes. “But it was important as well to define clear ideas, to keep the consistency as staff and coach, and keep believing this is the way we want to play and we will improve with experiences.
“So I am not really surprised and I am happy with [my team is] playing now. Very happy.