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.
Comments