‘We can’t do this if we want automatic promotion’ – Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland warning

EIGHTEEN games to go, and the teams at the top of the Championship table just keep on winning.

Table-toppers Leeds United, seven wins and three draws from their last ten league matches. Second-placed Sheffield United, eight wins from their last 12 league games. Third-placed Burnley, nine wins and five draws from their last 14 league outings, culminating in Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Plymouth. It is quite some achievement from Sunderland just to have kept pace with the three sides above them.

The Black Cats are on a five-win, two-draw, and one-loss streak in their previous eight league games as they prepare for tomorrow’s home encounter against the same Plymouth club who thrashed them at home in midweek. Not quite as good as their promotion rivals, but not too far behind. And, as Regis Le Bris admits, the minimal need from the following eight games if Sunderland is to remain in the automatic-promotion chase coming into the final stretch.

“The pace at the top of the table is very impressive at the moment,” stated Sunderland’s manager. “We need to show that we can be in that bracket.

“It’s difficult because you need to win, win, win. You may draw or lose one game, but in order to restore momentum, you must win, win, win. Our next goal is to prove our rightful place at the table.Burnley won 5-0 at Plymouth the other night, demonstrating their efficiency. Four big chances and four goals. This demonstrates that the team is ready to participate in the final sprint. We have to demonstrate that we can do the same.”

Sunderland’s next five games include travels to Middlesbrough and Leeds United. So, while nothing can be taken for granted in the Championship, it appears like the three home games that comprise that sequence – against Plymouth, Watford, and Luton – are games in which Le Bris’ team cannot afford to slip up.

Plymouth are in a state of significant turmoil, with Wayne Rooney gone and Miron Muslic taking his place. Their star player, Morgan Whittaker, was omitted from the squad that was thrashed by Burnley, amid strong speculation that he will be leaving in the final week of the transfer window. They are rock bottom, five points behind 23rd-placed Luton, and have failed to win any of their 14 away matches this season.

“Any team in this league can beat any team, so it’s still tough,” said Le Bris. “It is a new opponent and a new scenario, but a good opportunity for us to move forward, especially at home, where we have been good so far. At the same time, though, we need to earn the points.”

Plymouth will almost certainly set out looking to stifle their opponents, which could mean Sunderland’s players have to think on their feet, something Le Bris feels they have become increasingly adept at this season.

“I like the team’s ability to find solutions in real time,” he said. “It is a sign of the best teams – when you can find the solutions yourself on the pitch rather than wait for half-time when you can maybe be shown some clips or get the opinion of the coaches.

“We are able to adapt now. If we could do a bit quicker, that would be even better, and if we could create chances a bit earlier, that would be better. But in the three previous games, we have been good.”