Sunderland Head Coach Régis Le Bris has mace clear that any potential January incomings will be judged on their character as well as ability, as he attempts to keep the unity and togetherness that he and the current squad have developed this season. Daniel Wales reports.
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00:00Despite being pegged back in the first half against Sheffield United on New Year's Day,
00:06Sunderland found it within themselves to retake the lead quickly and then hold on for an important
00:12win against the Blades, moving the Blackhats to within just two points of their opponents
00:16in the championship table. Such a statement win against a fellow promotion candidate required
00:24strength of character from Reggie Celebreza's side, which is easy to come by in such a united
00:29group that the head coach has created here on Wearside, something which didn't seem possible
00:33only a matter of months ago at the end of last season. With the January transfer window now open,
00:40any potential incomings will have to fit seamlessly into the current cohort,
00:45with their personal character being very important, Lebris confirmed.
00:49Yes, the level is very important, but the connection with the current story is also very important.
00:59And probably you can have a very talented player, but if it doesn't fit with what we are and what we want to do together,
01:08it won't work. So it's very important. And it's still a gamble because until you don't train,
01:15you don't play with the team, you don't really know what will happen exactly.
01:21So it's a very important part of the assessment and it's not easy.
01:27Evidently, fitting the style of the club is regarded as vital at Sunderland,
01:31something which Lebris takes great pride in when it comes to satisfying supporters.
01:35I think the style of play suits with the mentality of the region and the stadium especially and the fans.
01:44And it's connected with the energy and the identity of the club, so it's good to feel it on the pitch.
01:51Sometimes, as a coach, we would like to master other phases because we would like to be well-rounded,
02:01but at least they worked well, they were connected, they kept the consistency.
02:07We struggled with many situations. We conceded early goals, for example, and they kept the consistency until the end.
02:16Whilst Portsmouth may be strugglers this season, winning against them is just as important as defeating sides such as Sheffield United.
02:26Winning is the most important goal for a team, so we have to reset.
02:33We will have played, I think, five games in 15 days, so it's a very intense space.
02:41I think the players are ready and I like their behaviour.
02:47After the defeat at Stoke, they were a little bit disappointed, but ready to face Sheffield.
02:54Now, after Sheffield, enjoy one day and then the next step for Portsmouth.