Le Bris wants to tap into Stadium of Light energy

Sunderland manager Regis Le BrisImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Regis Le Bris has won six of his nine games in charge of Sunderland

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Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris wants to tap into the "energy'' being created at the Stadium of Light as they entertain Leeds United on Friday (20:00 BST).

The Black Cats lead the Championship after eight games following their 2-0 victory over Derby County on Tuesday.

It means for the first time in the club's history they have won their opening four home games without conceding a goal.

"It's great here at Sunderland to have this energy behind us," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.

Le Bris' side have recorded wins at the Stadium of Light over Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, Middlesbrough and the Rams as the bedrock behind their strong start to the campaign.

Backed by average crowds of over 40,000 - the most in the Championship and higher than all but eight of the clubs in the Premier League - the Frenchman believes his team's style of play is making a trip to Wearside one to be feared once again.

"For the way we want to play, I think we can create that link with the fans," he said.

"Sometimes with high pressure, with a tackle, with different positive actions in and out of possession, we can feel this energy behind us.

"If we feel it, I think the opponents feel it as well. The momentum can be created or reinforced by this energy."

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Sunderland are the only club in the top four divisions in England yet to concede a home goal this season

'The potential is here'

Sunderland play a Leeds team, fifth in the table, and widely considered promotion favourites before a ball was kicked in what will be a fascinating early test of the credentials of the Black Cats' young squad.

Le Bris is wary to set any targets, but he is quietly confident in the group of players at his disposal.

"This team is young, it has good behaviour, the players want to learn from positive and negative experiences," he added.

"The potential is here but we have strong opponents.

"What we can improve is our behaviour, our way of improving our game, our strengths and our weaknesses.

"But then the scenario of the league is unpredictable. We can't say that we'll be in this position at the end of the league but if we are involved like we are at the moment, I'm very confident about the way we can play."