Chris Rigg has outlined Sunderland’s ambition for the season and revealed the extraordinary amount of work Régis Le Bris puts into preparing his side
Chris Rigg hinted that Sunderland have silverware in their sights this season as the midfielder revealed the extraordinary amount of work Régis Le Bris puts into his tactical preparation.
Rigg made the comments after Sunderland beat Hull City to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The Black Cats have since opened their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar, while their Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City demonstrated the size of the challenge involved in balancing three competitions.
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Sunderland's targets have changed dramatically over a relatively short period. Survival was the obvious priority after promotion to the Premier League, but last season's European qualification has allowed Le Bris and his players to compete on several major fronts.
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"Obviously, you set your many targets when you first start the season, but really, like as a group, we just want success," Rigg said. "Whether that's silverware, whether that's winning as many games as we can, whatever. I think we just want success and stay happy and healthy and win games."
Rigg is now into his third season working under Le Bris and has developed from a teenage Championship prospect into a Premier League midfielder during the Frenchman's tenure. The academy graduate believes the head coach's tactical work is central to Sunderland's development, revealing just how much preparation takes place away from public view.
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That work has already produced another historic moment this season with Sunderland winning their first European fixture in 53 years against AZ. The task now is to marry those occasions with improved league results while remaining competitive in the cups.
"This is my third season now with him, and he's been excellent with me, but not only me, the team," Rigg said. "He helps the new lads settle in really well, and yeah, his tactics are amazing. He works day and night, every day, every night, to supply them tactics for us, and we try our best to put them on the pitch."
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