Régis Le Bris reacts to Brian Brobbey's Sunderland form and explains next 'main target' for striker
Brian Brobbey has been in excellent form for Sunderland and impressed again against Spurs
Régis Le Bris has praised Brian Brobbey's consistently impressive performances for Sunderland but insists there is still plenty of room for improvement for the striker.
Brobbey has become an integral part of Le Bris's side since arriving from Ajax on deadline day last summer, and enhanced his growing reputation and popularity with supporters by scoring a late winner in the recent Tyne-Wear derby. The 24-year-old delivered another strong showing as Sunderland beat Spurs 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, and the Sunderland head coach says he is helping to improve the team's all-round play.
Le Bris says a key focus is now helping Brobbey to be more clinical in the final third.
"Brian is becoming consistent, it's a good sign because you can be strong once when you start to repeat performances like that, it's a good sign," Le Bris said.
"Probably the connection with his teammates is getting better progressively as well because you feel that even with a blind pass you can play [into his] zone and take care of the ball and then you can support, which is really positive to break a press.
"I hope [there is still room to improve] because he's young," Le Bris added.
"The final third is now the main target. The build-up, the way he can keep the ball under pressure is brilliant. So now the last bit is to make him more clinical, score more goals, but the platform is really good."
Brobbey now has six goals across 26 appearances across all competitions for Sunderland this season.
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Ahead of the game against Spurs, Le Bris also reflected on the progress of Sunderland youngster Finn Geragusian.
The young striker, who has been in superb form for the club’s academy sides this season, made his international debut for Armenia in the recent break. Le Bris said the 18-year-old was now training regularly with the first-team group but added that pre-season would be a more natural point for him to begin playing with the senior team.
“It's a good sign [to have young players playing for their country], especially after such a long period in the third level of the league,” Le Bris said.
“You can't invest the same level of money, so it means you have to work hard and if you provide the right environment then the players can grow.
“It's a bit early at the minute [for Geragusian to be playing in the Premier League],” Le Bris added.
“Often the best period to start playing with the squad is pre-season. Now he's training regularly with us but the competition is high, especially in this position. He's learning. It's important he's connected with the squad but he'll have to wait for opportunities.”
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