JUST IN: “During the first half….” Unsatisfied Le Bris makes post match analysis to pinpoint what nearly went wrong and need to be sorted out immediately despite 3-1 win over the Pompey’s.
Portsmouth suffered their first defeat of the Championship season as Sunderland secured a 3-1 victory at Fratton Park on Saturday. This win maintains Sunderland’s flawless start to the campaign, making them the only team in the division yet to drop a single point.
While Sunderland’s perfect 12 points from 12 is a cause for celebration, Régis Le Bris and his team may feel some disappointment in losing their streak of clean sheets. Prior to this match, Sunderland had not conceded a goal this season, but a late own goal from Luke O’Nien reduced their lead in the final minutes.
Portsmouth’s defeat leaves them in 18th place in the Championship table with three points. John Mousinho’s side has yet to secure a win this season, but their previous draws against Middlesbrough, Luton Town, and the thrilling 3-3 opener against Leeds United demonstrate that they are not an easy team to face.
Le Bris acknowledged the challenge posed by Portsmouth, admitting that his team struggled at times to execute their typically solid game plan at Fratton Park.
“It was a tough game, and while our game plan was good, it wasn’t always easy to implement,” Le Bris said after the match. “We needed to address the issue between their short passes and direct play, with their strong players winning first and second contacts.
“In the first half, we weren’t perfect, but we adjusted a few things at halftime. In the early part of the second half, we recovered many balls in midfield, which allowed us to counter-attack and score. That was the best approach for us today.
“We’re not a team that focuses on controlling the game through possession. We aim to create chances and disrupt the opponent’s defense. I’m not sure we want to be a team that makes 20 or 30 passes. Especially away from home, the key is defense. If we can draw the opponent in, recover the ball, and launch a quick attack, that’s the best way for us to score.”
Le Bris downplayed the notion that he has brought anything particularly special to Sunderland, despite the club’s best league start in 99 years.
“I don’t see it that way. It’s just about taking it game by game and putting in the work on the pitch. We analyze the best game plan against each opponent, and then we play. There’s no specific explanation for our start. I hope we continue it, but football is tough.”