”We are getting stronger and stronger” Regis Le Bris previews Nottingham Forest Clash and the Stadium of Light | OneFootball

It has been a season to remember for Sunderland, promoted via the play-offs last year through a last gasp Tom Watson goal the Black Cats were written off long before a ball was kicked. Yet a complete squad overhaul, a huge team mentality and the arrival of Granit Xhaka have given the Stadium of Light moments to remember in spades. Overseeing all of that has been Regis Le Bris, who will have his name thrown in the hat for manager of the season should Sunderland qualify for Europe in their first season back in the top flight.

Sitting 11th yet just three points off seventh, Sunderland know they could go above Chelsea with a win over Nottingham Forest on Friday night, but Le Bris knows that there are no easy games in the Premier League and especially ones against Europa League semi-finalists.

”[They are] A strong team, semi-final in the Europa League. Unbeaten in seven. Good players, well organised. They struggled at the start of the season, which shows how difficult this division is.”

”It shows momentum can be hard to find. They are getting better, and it’s clear they are now in good form. It will be [a] demanding but exciting challenge.”

Forest are still struggling at the bottom, yet they haven’t lost since the 1st of March to Brighton and have pulled six points clear of 18th placed Spurs. Le Bris knows about their strengths, albeit under a different manager, as the Black Cats narrowly overcame the Tricky Trees 1-0 in the return fixture back in September.

”It was obvious when we won at the City Ground that they were good. We struggled, it was a balanced game, and we scored from a set piece.”

One of the main threats posed by Forest is captain Morgan Gibbs-White, the midfielder has netted five times in his last four Premier League games as he makes a late surge for the England squad. On Gibbs-White, Le Bris said:

”He’s one of their attacking threats. He is a mobile ten who can play off the left, a good finisher who can crash the box. Like Rogers and Watkins last week, he can be clinical.”

Turning back to his own side, Sunderland know they are on the cusp of playing in Europe for the first time since 1973, and Le Bris could be the first manager post-war to achieve Europe via league position. Sunderland have seen an uptick in form before their last-minute defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, wins over rivals Newcastle, Leeds and Spurs in recent weeks have gotten their season back on track after a mid-season slump.

When asked about the potential of Europe, Le Bris said: ”You never know. It’s a long journey for sure, and it’s important to think about the last seasons.”

We are eight years outside of the top level, and at the beginning of this season, this was not expected. We are getting stronger and stronger, so it’s possible to achieve something.”

”Rumours, noise, this is football. It creates interest. Our focus is to stay focused in this noise otherwise, you won’t be strong on the pitch.”

Always subdued in his answers, Le Bris was quick to remain grounded. Humility has been a core strength of this Sunderland team, and the Frenchman was quick to realise what his side could improve on regarding the defeat at Villa Park last week.

”Yes, it is [disappointing to concede four goals]. They scored in the same situations, attacked wide with their triangles or with one player and a good cross. We were able to protect the central corridor, but we were a bit weaker out wide – well, they were better than us in how they managed the situation.”

”The delivery was perfect. Then you have to manage the box, and against these players, it’s difficult. We worked on it this week, we won’t face the same exactly, but it’s a topic.”

There were worries during the Aston Villa game that centre-half stalwart Omar Alderete may be injured when he was walking gingerly as he was subbed off for Dan Ballard halfway through the second half. Le Bris didn’t specify about the Paraguayan, but he did provide an overall injury update.

”Nilson [Angulo] and Bertrand [Traore] will return to part-time training next week. Jocelin [Ta Bi] started the sessions with us this week, so we might go further next week, which is good. Nothing else to flag at the moment.”

Sunderland will head into Friday’s fixture looking to cap off a remarkable season with another shock, they’ve proved nearly everyone wrong so far, and the idea to continue to do so will appeal to this squad. Although Forest will be a massively tricky customer and are flying high.