Le Bris on winning awards, team evolution and staying focused
· Yahoo Sports
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).
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Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Le Bris was nominated for manager of the season and said he was "very proud" of the achievement and that it was "for the club and for the staff and the players"
- He explained: "It's a collective achievement. No mater the result it highlights the quality of the group and the season overall. The Premier League is a rollercoaster with highs and lows but at the end of the season I think this kind of recognition is very important for us."
- On this season's success he said: "It's always hard because we are already in the next game and the next season. But we will probably have a week to appreciate this moment and after that go again with new goals, new problems, new opportunities because it is our life."
- When asked to reflect on last week's game against Manchester United he said: "I'm really pleased by this end of the season, even if we didn't win we created three big chances, conceded only one at the end. We showed improvements in many areas. Still strong out of possession with the ability to press high and to protect our goal, it means that we are improving. It's not just a question of key moments, we are working hard and the squad is getting better."
- On players tiring against Manchester United: "It was demanding, we were controlling main parts of the game but there was a drop in the quality of decision making and less composure, then they got opportunities quick. It's the Premier League, at that level it is about giving 100% all of the time, when you drop you feel the threat immediately. It's not easy to maintain that level over 100 minutes at the end of the season."
- Sunderland could be looking ahead to Europe but Le Bris was adamant that they were only focused on the next game in front of them: "We want to win the next game, if you start to look too far ahead it's a distraction. Our job is to stay focused on the game and the game plan and the problems you have to fix and the opportunities as well."
- When asked about if he thought Sunderland are overperforming this season he said: "The expectations at the start, the odds were really low so it's a big achievement, so we are really proud of this achievement. The exposure to problems and big teams helps. The evolution of the players is good too, many of the players had not got Premier League experience. It's very positive."
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[BBC]