Régis Le Bris issues clear message to Sunderland players ahead of Luton Town test

Régis Le Bris has urged his Sunderland players to impose themselves and their style at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday night.

Luton Town have endured a difficult start to the season following their relegation from the Premier League but a thumping 3-0 win over local rivals Watford on Saturday represented a strong return to form. Rob Edwards’ side proved to be tough opponents when they were last in the Championship, a powerful side who edged Sunderland out over two legs in the play-off semi final.

Le Bris is well aware of the unique challenge that awaits his side and says the best way to counter it is to play their own game.

“We don’t know exactly what will happen before the game, but Luton’s style is well known and very efficient when it is played well,” Le Bris said.

“I don’t think they will be changing their style of play because they have certain strengths and when they use them well, it is difficult to cope with. It is hard to deal with that direct play and second balls. It is very hard to play like that, and when they do it well, it is very difficult to stop them. This part of the game will happen, so we have to be able to deal with those type of situations. But then we also have to be able to impose our own style of play on the game. If we can keep the ball, if we can dominate the pitch, then that will give them less options, less weapons and less opportunities to unbalance us. This is the main objective for us. Do we want to be proactive on the pitch or just reactive to what they are doing? We have to impose our style, that will be the main concern for the game.

“Football is evolving everywhere,” Le Bris added.

“Maybe you have an idea of what a certain country’s football style is, but that is always changing. I think that is true here. But then, that style (Luton’s) can still be very effective because it is very hard to defend against. I remember we played a friendly game a bit like that in the summer against Bradford, I think. It was very interesting for me because it was a totally different challenge. They were very tough, and when that style is well played like that, it is very difficult to counter. We need to be prepared for that part of football, but as I keep saying, we need to impose our style as well. If we can play as we play, in that atmosphere and against that opposition, then we will cause problems of our own. If we are brave enough to do that, it will be a problem for them. Then, if they are better, we will just have to suffer from their direct play and it will be difficult in that case.”

Luton Town currently sit 17th in the Championship table but will still have aspirations of pushing for promotion over the course of the campaign.