Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has spoken about his squad’s improvement this season, making a bold claim from the start of the campaign.
The Black Cats have ensured a very successful 2024/25 Championship campaign so far, sitting 4th in the league table past the halfway stage and very much in the promotion picture, albeit as an outsider.
Considering the state of the lacklustre 2023/24 season for Sunderland, where Michael Beale oversaw a huge drop in form that saw the side finish 16th in the Championship after a final-day defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, it has been a brilliant feat for Regis Le Bris to steer this side upwards after plenty of shrewd signings.
One thing that Kristjaan Speakman and Le Bris had to get correct was the summer transfer window, which, because of the shrewd signings of Wilson Isidor and Chris Mepham notably, the void of inexperience was filled within the side.
After months in his role as head coach, Le Bris has now commented on the Sunderland squad, and one difference that he can pinpoint from now compared to the start of the season.
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Regis Le Bris makes ‘very good’ Sunderland claim as he hails improvement from start of season
Inexperience on its own was a key issue last season, and despite a similar crop of players, the likes of Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, and Chris Rigg have taken on more responsibility and have shown more quality as a result. This trio of midfielders has become integral to the side, and there is no doubt that their abilities have developed significantly under Le Bris.
The midfield three are just one example of how much the Frenchman has had an impact on the entire squad, and this is something that he has recognised himself.
Per Northern Echo, Le Bris said: “If you look at our team this season, you can say now that we have a very good team, but when we started, it wasn’t really the case. With young players, it is often like that too.
“It is often about when they can get their opportunity. That is when you really see. Before that, you can still have many doubts. But when they are on the pitch, that is when you can say, ‘Ah yes, it is clear, they can play’.
“It is a question of opportunities, and the environment that you create around them, to support them and help them learn from their mistakes. It is about showing them that you believe they can succeed, believe they can manage different situations, and believe that they can express their talent.”
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Regis Le Bris deserves utmost praise for ability to turn around confidence-drained Black Cats squad
After the conclusion of the 2023/24 Championship season, there was certainly a sense emptiness surrounding the club, having dropped off significantly in the latter stages of the season, something that would have drained the confidence of the younger ranks in the side.
For any manager to come into Sunderland after such a season, it was always going to be a huge challenge, especially considering main attacking output Jack Clarke was sold to Ipswich Town.
Because of the hurdles that Le Bris has had to jump since the start of the tenure, Sunderland’s current 4th place position is entirely reflective on the brilliant job that he has done.