Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has hailed the influence of Black Cats supporters during the season so far
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris says the Stadium of Light crowd has been central to the team’s strong start to life back in the Premier League.
Sunderland’s connection with their supporters has only strengthened over the past 18 months, forged during some of the club’s most dramatic recent moments. The Black Cats famously scored late goals in both legs of their Championship play-off semi-final against Coventry City, before triumphing in the final against Sheffield United to seal their Premier League return.
That bond was on full display again last weekend, as the Stadium of Light erupted when Sunderland struck a 96th-minute winner against Brentford, having fallen behind earlier in the game. It was another example of the team’s resilience and the electric atmosphere created by more than 45,000 fans.
Speaking before Sunderland’s 2-1 home win over Brentford, Le Bris highlighted the importance of the supporters after the Black Cats opened the season with a 3-0 victory over West Ham in front of more than 45,000 fans at the Stadium of Light.
"Yes, I think so. This is one of the key pillars of our identity," Le Bris said when asked about the fans’ role. "Sunderland is made with this support. If we don't use it properly, it doesn't make sense. I think it's connected with the way we want to play.
"If our fans recognise the identity, the willingness, the commitment, the togetherness, then they are happy. They are happier if we win. That's fair. But at the same time, we know that it won't be possible every time because the level is really high. At least, if we are connected with this ambition, I think it will be a massive strength for us."
Le Bris continued, referencing the first home game against West Ham, a 3-0 win: “I think this first game at home, we created a connection between even new players and our fans, which is really positive. It wasn't easy to create this level, this output from a collective perspective so early, so I was really happy with the performance, but also with the connection with our fans.
“It's always a reset, I repeat, because it was against West Ham with a specific problem. We have a new problem, and every new experience will test our level of competence. Probably, in the future, we'll have to manage different challenges, and we'll see if we are able to solve problems on that.”
Sunderland’s next game sees them travel to Crystal Palace, looking to record their first away points of the season after a 2-0 defeat to Burnley in their only previous fixture on the road. The Black Cats currently have six points from their opening three games in the top-flight this season.
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Régis Le Bris has been handed a timely boost ahead of Sunderland’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace as Luke O’Nien steps up his recovery.
The 29-year-old has been sidelined since dislocating his shoulder in the opening minutes of Sunderland’s play-off final win over Sheffield United, but he was pictured back in training this week with teammates not currently away on international duty. The club had initially expected O’Nien to return after the ongoing break, and he now looks on course to meet that timeline.
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O’Nien’s comeback will provide valuable versatility across the backline, though competition for defensive places is fierce following Sunderland’s heavy summer recruitment. He was joined in training by Aji Alese, who is also closing in on a return after missing the entirety of pre-season through injury. Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde are likewise expected back following the international break, but neither has been spotted in full training yet.
Le Bris has also welcomed recent signings Lutsharel Geertruida and Brian Brobbey to the training pitches for the first time since their deadline-day arrivals from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively. Both could make their Sunderland debuts at Selhurst Park, though Le Bris may have to carefully manage their match sharpness given their lack of competitive action so far this season.
Meanwhile, fellow new arrival Bertrand Traoré faces a race against time to feature after joining from Ajax in the final minutes of the window. The winger is currently away on international duty with Burkina Faso and will link up with his new teammates late next week, leaving Le Bris with limited preparation time to integrate him into the squad.
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