Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom believes Sunderland have found a stronger balance since Jack Clarke’s departure, no longer leaning too heavily on a single player. Heckingbottom has been impressed by the Black Cats’ season so far, acknowledging that Regis Le Bris, whom he knew little about before his summer appointment, has made a real impact. As Sunderland prepare to bring their “youthful energy” to Deepdale on Wednesday night, the North End manager is ready for a challenging encounter.
Sunderland have already faced Preston this season, but it was a second-string XI that fell short at Deepdale in the Carabao Cup first-round clash, a match that took place before Paul Heckingbottom’s arrival.
Paul Heckingbottom was linked with the Sunderland head coach role in the summer, but the club’s decision to appoint Regis Le Bris is now looking like a masterstroke, with the Black Cats flourishing under his leadership.
When asked if he knew anything about Regis Le Bris before his appointment, Heckingbottom admitted, “No… I’ve seen a bit of them this season, which is the first time I’ve watched any of his teams.” He went on to praise Sunderland’s recruitment process, highlighting how they prioritize a manager’s style and personality, ensuring a good fit for their philosophy. Heckingbottom acknowledged that while Sunderland has had past missteps in managerial appointments, their choice of Le Bris appears spot-on, as the Black Cats are thriving under his guidance. What makes Sunderland’s impressive start even more remarkable is that it has come after the departure of Jack Clarke, last season’s standout player.
Heckingbottom acknowledged Sunderland’s past reliance on Jack Clarke, praising his contributions in goals, assists, and as a constant threat. However, he believes the team now has better balance, particularly when out of possession. “There’s a real good balance to their team, with threats off both sides. They’re not over-reliant on one player, which makes it harder for opposition teams to counter,” he said. This improved balance, particularly defensively, has been reflected in their goals conceded, with Sunderland now excelling both in attack and defense. “That’s why they’re up there on merit… scoring lots of goals and keeping clean sheets. And, they have a clear way they want to play,” Heckingbottom added.
Ahead of Wednesday’s clash, Heckingbottom studied Sunderland’s style and noted that they won’t deviate from their approach. “They won’t change, in terms of how they’ve been preparing and performing,” he said. “There are one or two subtle things they do differently based on how the opposition sets up, which we will be prepared for.” Heckingbottom highlighted Sunderland’s attacking philosophy, with their high possession, offensive rotations, and full-backs joining the attack. He also praised their youthful energy in defense, emphasizing that their balance and style have been key to their success. “There’s a reason why they’re up there, and they’re not going to change too much. We are looking forward to what’s going to be a really good game.”
Despite Sunderland not being widely tipped for automatic promotion at the start of the season, Heckingbottom isn’t surprised by their fast start under Le Bris, though he was quick to remind everyone that the campaign is still in its early stages. “I think they’ve had moments over the last few seasons where their form has been up there with the top teams,” he said. “Their challenge this season is sustaining it and staying there for the full 46 games. That is one of the unique things about the league we’re in. Everyone can have good form, but it’s about maintaining it over the course of the season.”
Sunderland will be without the suspended Jobe Bellingham for their trip to Deepdale.
Heckingbottom expects Alan Browne to partner Dan Neil in the middle of the pitch, adding that Sunderland have a well-rounded squad with players they aren’t afraid to throw in, especially after developing them through their system. “The middle of the pitch is always key, but you’ll never get anything more important than both boxes, as the weekend showed,” he noted.
This will mark Browne’s first return to Deepdale since his summer departure from Preston. Heckingbottom reflected on Browne’s role, saying, “He’s been used in different positions. He would’ve wanted to play more, but he’s in a team that’s playing really well. I know he played at the weekend, but when the team’s doing well, you’ve got to bide your time.”