Sunderland begin their second campaign back at Premier League level when they face Ipswich Town on Saturday
Régis Le Bris says Sunderland are happy to be the underdogs again as the new Premier League campaign begins.
The Black Cats have been widely tipped by the pundits and bookmakers to struggle this season, having surpassed all expectations in finishing seventh and qualifying for the Europa League last time out. Those extra games will undoubtedly pose a challenge for Le Bris and his side, who have so far only added Thomas Meunier to their squad in the summer transfer window.
However, the Sunderland head coach said that it suited the club to go under the radar once again and pointed out that they have regularly proved people wrong since his arrival from Lorient two years ago.
“If we follow the pundits and the odds, I think it’s hard to be positive but two seasons ago we were expected to be midtable and finally we got promoted at the end of the season at Wembley,” Le Bris said.
“Last season we were expected to be relegated by the end of December, probably, and finally we hit this target in March and then we got this qualification in Europe at the end of the season. So it’s about being Sunderland, not about the odds or the predictions. And when we stay true to our standards and it’s a daily activity, then we can be competitive anywhere and anytime. So it’s about consistency and I hope it will be the case this season.
“I like it [being written off],” he added.
“It’s a big challenge, once again. So keep the underdog mentality. Keep the beginners’ mentality as well, like it’s the first game in the Premier League. And I think it reinforces the belief in our project, in our foundations and when we stay true to these principles, we are strong. So it’s even better for me.”
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Le Bris said he had confidence in his players to prove people wrong again, providing they stick to the principles that have carried them so far.
“It’s important to be Sunderland,” he said.
We showed last season that when we were aligned with our identity and strong pillars: togetherness, consistent hard work, intensity and flexibility about our game model I think we are good. When we come away from those pillars, the Premier League is so demanding that you get punished and it hurts. Burnley away, the first game away last season, West Ham away, Forest at home, for example. I think they were strong reminders about the level of this league and the lads showed that they were consistent because they ended up seventh at the end of the season. We showed enough to be competitive.”
Le Bris confirmed that Simon Adingra will be the only absentee for the club’s opening game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.