Regis Le Bris believes his Sunderland players still possess the attacking quality to deliver promotion to the Premier League despite heading into the play-offs on the back of five successive defeats.
The Black Cats, whose earlier season form had secured fourth spot in the Sky Bet Championship at the start of April, will play Coventry in the two-legged play-off semi-final, with the first game taking place on Friday, May 9 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Despite the play-off battles on the horizon, the final whistle in their last regular-season game was greeted with boos from Sunderland fans after QPR left with the Stadium of Light with three points.
Nicolas Madsen’s controlled finish in the fifth minute was enough to separate the two teams, after he had capitalised on Harrison Ashby’s pass into the area before beating goalkeeper Anthony Patterson to his left.
But Le Bris, whose side have not claimed a point since guaranteeing a play-off place last month, said: “It is human after five defeats to think now you are weak, but it is not the reality.
“The game can change with one decision; football is always on the edge. It is a question of small details. Now we have to react, reinforce our togetherness, these are our pillars and if we can do that then we will be good in the end.
“This chapter is over. This period was strange. We have the same squad that was able to create chances every game earlier, this could be more connected with the period and the context.
“It will be important to have the full squad available. Sometimes it can be a question of balance disturbing the whole flow of the game.
“Today started with this early goal and our opponent played good football under pressure. We tried to be aggressive but didn’t find the right distance, mainly in the first half. It was impossible to disturb them.
“We have to find the right rhythm to win again. This team has shown so many qualities this season, it can’t disappear like that.”
While Sunderland have finished the season without a win in six matches, mid-table QPR signed off with a victory after ending their run of two defeats.
The solid performance on Wearside was achieved despite the events of the last week when head coach Marti Cifuentes was placed on garden leave.
Kevin Betsy, who is in interim charge with Xavi Calm, said: “It was a very unexpected week for us, but the players showed a fantastic mentality from Tuesday’s training sessions, each day they were positive and their application was outstanding.
“If you have the right training week it sets you up for a decent performance on a Saturday. We delivered an outstanding performance and result.”
Asked what happens next at QPR following Cifuentes’ exit, Betsy added: “The football club will take time to look at what they want to do going forward and there will be a few reviews, meetings, and then the staff will get a well-deserved break.
“We will wait for the phone to say whether we are wanted at the club or not. It is the nature of first-team football, if you want security and regularity in your life then maybe a different job…
“I’m very grateful to the football club. They recruited me as first-team coach and I am very clear. Myself and all the staff try to help the players and hopefully I will go back to that role.”
[(Angers SCO) Strength]: 1. Angers SCO performed underwhelmingly in Ligue 1 last season. They surely hope to secure a better ranking this season. Facing newly-promoted Paris FC, they are motivated to take all 3 points in this game.2. Angers SCO signed goalkeeper Herve Koffi from RC Lens and midfielder Louis Mouton from AS Saint-Etienne in the transfer window.3. Angers SCO received 4 wins, 1 draw, ...
[(FC Nantes) Strength]: 1. FC Nantes finished 13th last season, with a serious situation of avoiding relegation. They aim to keep their survival in the new season. Facing Paris Saint-Germain FC, earning points or even a victory would solidify their foundation for avoiding relegation. With decent home form, FC Nantes hope to capitalize on home advantage to boost morale and confidence, making them h...
[(Espanyol) Strength]: 1. Espanyol finished 14th with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 18 losses in last season's La Liga. They scored 40 goals and conceded 51 in 38 league games. In the offseason, the team signed new players to boost their lineup. They are strongly motivated in the first home game of the new season.2. Espanyol's young forward Roberto Fernandez has completed his permanent transfer to Espanyo...
[(Athletic Bilbao) Strength]: 1. To secure their first win this season, Athletic Bilbao are undoubtedly motivated in this game.2. On July 4, Athletic Bilbao officially announced Nico Williams' contract extension until 2035, with his release clause increasing by at least 50% to over 87 million euros.3. Athletic Bilbao won 13 of the last 20 home games across all competitions, showcasing outstanding ...
[(Manchester United F.C.) Strength]: 1. As it's the opening match of the new season, Manchester United F.C. are highly motivated to secure their first victory at Old Trafford.2. Manchester United F.C. have focused their summer rebuild on the attack, spending heavily on a new trio of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, which should improve their offensive output.3. Manchester United F....
[(Nottingham Forest) Strength]: 1. This game is the first home match of Nottingham Forest in the new season, so the team will surely hope to start with a win.2. Nottingham Forest finished 7th with 19 wins, 8 draws, and 11 losses in the Premier League last season, once entering the top four.3. Nottingham Forest had a home record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses in last season's Premier League, rank...
[(Chelsea F.C.) Strength]: 1. This summer, Chelsea F.C.'s most significant reinforcements came in the attacking line. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined early, participated in the Club World Cup, and quickly integrated into the team, both scoring goals. Meanwhile, young talent Estevao Willian, before his transfer, scored a stunning goal for Palmeiras against Chelsea F.C. in the same tournament. The ...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. Gwangju FC's newly signed foreign forward Holmbert Fridjonsson made his K League 1 debut as a substitute in the last match and could be in line for a starting spot in this game.[(Gwangju FC) Weakness]: 1. Gwangju FC's foreign striker Jasir Asani is set to join Iranian club Esteghlal F.C. He missed the last league match due to an ankle injury and remains doubtful for thi...
[(Gimcheon Sangmu FC) Strength]: 1. Gimcheon Sangmu FC forward Park Sang Hyeok scored 8 goals in the league this season, becoming the most stable scoring point of the team.2. Gimcheon Sangmu FC drew 0-0 with Gangwon FC in the last league game on the road. They were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 league games, revealing stable form.3. Gimcheon Sangmu FC scored 8 goals in the last 5 ...
[(Fagiano Okayama) Strength]: 1. Fagiano Okayama midfielder Hiroto Iwabuchi scored a brace in the last league game, helping the team take all 3 points.2. Fagiano Okayama's top scorer Takaya Kimurab scored a goal in the last league game, ending a nearly three-month goal drought as he found the net for the first time in seven games.3. Fagiano Okayama won 3-0 over Gamba Osaka in the last league game ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend
- 4 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 5 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 6 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 7 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 8 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 9 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 10 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger