As former Premier League striker Charlie Austin shared his thoughts on Sunderland and head coach Regis Le Bris, he highlighted the impressive job being done at the club and expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to avoid relegation this season.

Commending Le Bris for his work at Sunderland, Austin emphasized the manager’s success in only his second year in charge, guiding the team through a successful spell in the Championship to now competing in the Premier League with a revamped squad. Austin singled out Granit Xhaka as a key player for Sunderland, praising his impact both on and off the pitch as a pivotal figure in the team’s performance.

Austin noted Sunderland’s fearless mentality and determination to prove their critics wrong, highlighting their approach of having nothing to lose and everything to gain in the Premier League. He praised the team for executing the manager’s tactics effectively on a consistent basis, attributing their success to a strong partnership between Xhaka and Le Bris.

Regarding Sunderland’s ambitions for the season, Austin stressed the importance of securing Premier League survival as the primary goal, suggesting a points target to achieve that objective. Despite the early success, he emphasized the need to focus on maintaining their top-flight status before aiming higher in the future.

Austin also acknowledged the positive impact of clubs like Leeds United and Burnley performing well and not being in the relegation zone, noting that it adds a new dimension to the Premier League and creates excitement for fans. He praised the competitive nature of the league and commended the teams for challenging the traditional hierarchy, bringing a fresh perspective to the season.

Overall, Austin’s comments reflect a sense of optimism and admiration for Sunderland’s progress under Le Bris, highlighting their potential to thrive in the Premier League and build on their early-season achievements.