Regis Le Bris shared his thoughts on Sunderland's defeat at the hands of Watford. Here's what he had to say...
OVERALL THOUGHTS
“I think the first 50 minutes were difficult, as we expected, because we had to manage the width with five players in their front line. So, it was clear that with a back four it could have been difficult, and I think after five or six minutes we managed that situation with a back four and then the game changed at that minute. After, I think we were able to dominate the game. We had two problems to solve, the first one was obviously when it is very difficult to find solutions in small spaces, and the other one was their counter attacks. They were linked because sometimes we were not passionate enough so we lost two or three balls, and they had many strong and powerful players to counter attack us. It was difficult to solve this problem. I think after 15-20 minutes we were good and I liked the behaviour of the team."
WIN THE DUELS
"We still have that kind of problem when we force the team to play long balls, sometimes we are not strong enough in the duels and away it is very important to have this strength. This wasn’t the case because sometimes they were stronger and maybe we need to improve that part of our game.”
KEPT FIGHTING TIL THE END
“We were in that game. The substitutes were interesting and I thought we felt the energy of the team and we were dominant, so we solved the problem and in the duration of the game I think we felt it was possible to win, at least to have an equaliser but even to win. Then at the end it was one small mistake but that was still the case. In this kind of competition, we have conceded a penalty and it was finished so I am disappointed but still confident and clear about the improvement of the team, the involvement of the team, the willingness to learn from these experiences as well. I think our fans were behind us because they felt that dynamic in the game. At the end we lose and we are not happy for sure, but we are still learning.”
BALLARD/MAYENDA/BROWNE ABSENT
“I don’t know because that is a medical question! I hope (they are back soon), because I know we have three, four or five players who are not available at the minute and they could be useful for the team. This Championship is very long so even if they are not with us, the other players are playing, they are improving, they are having many learning experiences and I think for the whole team it will be very interesting at the end.”
ONTO THE TWO HOME GAMES
“I think at the end of the game in the dressing room, the players are disappointed because it felt that it was possible today to make something and to earn at least one point. That was not the case so they are frustrated and they have a strong motivation to win our games at home.”
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