'Where we want to be': Régis Le Bris stays positive as stuttering Sunderland face Coventry reunion

Le Bris insists Sunderland's demanding Europa League schedule is an opportunity, not a burden, as they prepare to face newly promoted Coventry in the Premier League.

former Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has adopted a positive outlook despite his side's stuttering start to the Premier League season, which has been complicated by their participation in European football. After a 0-0 draw with Leeds last Sunday, Le Bris expressed satisfaction with Sunderland's performance, saying "We saw Sunderland on the pitch today."

The club won the Championship playoff final last season and finished seventh in the Premier League, earning Europa League qualification. However, they have managed only two league wins so far this season and face Coventry on Saturday. Coventry, newly promoted to the Premier League, have won twice already.

Le Bris rejected the notion that the busy schedule—which now includes a 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Brentford on Wednesday—is a problem. "This is exactly where we want to be, with the opportunity to play regularly in Europe, to be competing in the Premier League and the domestic cups too," he said. The manager acknowledged that recent injuries to strikers Brian Brobbey and Isidor have exposed gaps in the squad, and that summer recruitment fell short of ambitions, particularly in failing to secure a right winger and a Premier League-ready striker.