Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has revealed how he will set his team up in tonight’s play-off semi-final second leg following comments from Coventry City boss Frank Lampard.
The Black Cats secured an impressive 2-1 victory in the first leg at the CBS Arena in a game dominated by the hosts. Le Bris pulled off a tactical masterstroke by operating with a low block. This saw the Wearsiders enjoy just 25% possession but their counterattacking prowess allowed them to pick their opponents off.
Following the game, Lampard admitted he now has no idea how Sunderland will set up in the return leg at the Stadium of Light. Instead, he hinted that he will have to prepare for all eventualities and adapt to what is in front of him on the night.
Le Bris Looking For ‘More Of The Same’
Although inadvertently, Le Bris has stated that he will be looking for more of the same when the pair meet tonight, hinting that we could be in for another defensive display. Speaking to the media, the 49-year-old said:
“The second goal on Friday changes nothing. We have to win this game, this is in my mind. We have to start like the first game, we have to have the same mindset (to win).
“Games are unpredictable so you have to be proactive, you cannot try to protect. We have to try and win and then we will see at the end.
“Proactive is the main word. With the squad more or less fully available, we know we have different options. If we are in a conservative mindset, it doesn’t fit with this event, the identity of our club and our idea of how we want to play. We have to be proactive.”
Addressing his defensive setup in the first leg, Le Bris admitted that he could adopt a similar approach:
“With the starting XI we said, we had big strengths and some things that were not the strongest part of our game. The balance was right for this fixture, especially in the second half when we disturbed their patterns.
“We felt in this moment we were in the gameplan. In this environment, away from home, it was hard to control possession. We know the scenario will be different in this one. But if Coventry are strong again, the balance might be similar. But then if the output is the same, we will all be happy.”
Writer’s View
Sunderland achieved their place in the play-offs with time to spare, although that arguably hurt them. It was always unlikely they would finish higher or lower than fourth and as a result, they limped into their season extension with a run of five successive defeats. With little momentum, it was a case of digging deep and securing a result. It wasn’t pretty but it won’y matter a jot to Le Bris. If he has to do the same to earn a place at Wembley, he will do, and he’s not afraid to admit it.
