Le Bris on 'embarrassing' FA Cup exit, Le Fe and staying ambitious

[ASFN Admin]

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at The Stadium of Light (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Brian Brobbey and Dennis Cirkin have both "trained fully this week" and "might be available" to face the Seagulls.
• Le Bris added that this weekend's game will come too soon for Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo but the trio are "in a good place and progressing well", while the club are expecting Bertrand Traore to be out for "six to eight weeks minimum".
• Reflecting on last weekend's FA Cup exit to League One Port Vale: "Disappointing. A bit embarrassing to be fair. We lacked desire and fighting spirit. It's sad because we missed a big opportunity to go forward. It's now time to find consistency and show the levels we displayed at Bournemouth and Leeds. We know we're capable of it. This weekend is a good opportunity to show our core strengths."
• Was he surprised by the performance?: "Yes, because in that context we have to win. It wasn't a good feeling, we tried to find explanations and to challenge them and support them as well. It is a learning curve. I'd like to include myself and the coaching staff in that. We failed. Ups and downs are part of the learning curve. It's not a positive moment but we have to be better for it."
• Le Bris paid tribute to Enzo Le Fe, who made his 50th Black Cats appearance last weekend:" I'm really pleased. After Lorient he had good spells but difficult moments in Rennes and Roma, so when you reach 24 or 25 you never know if it stays potential or become a great player. I felt he could be a great player. He made a strong decision to come to the Championship, showed good quality but got an injury. This season, the hardest and most demanding league in the world, to show his consistency and play in different positions really means something."
• On the challenge posed by Brighton: "They are a well-established team in the Premier League now. They have a really clear identity, are really good on the ball, have a lot of mobility. Their counter-press is outstanding. It's a modern style of play that is really efficient and really interesting."
• On staying hungry after reaching the 40 point mark: "We have to keep the same mindset. Every game is the opportunity to win three points. Against every team in this league is tough. Everyone can beat everyone in this league. We have to keep going because we don't know if 40 points will be enough, and we want to keep being ambitious."

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