RLB PRE PALACE

Regis Le Bris spoke to the media ahead of Sunderland's trip to Selhurst Park and praised the opposition for the way they've operated over the last few years. He understands it's a tough place for an away team to visit, but says that anything is possible with the team's 'Til The End' mentality - especially when you've got players of Granit Xhaka's calibre in the side.

TOUGH CHALLENGE

"We can expect a strong team, well-organised with good players, well coached, holders of the FA Cup and Community Shield which means a lot. So, a tough challenge for sure and after that we'll have a scenario. We don't know before (the game)."

PALACE A GOOD ROLE MODEL

"I think they are confident, they built a strong confidence and it's a consequence of huge work beforehand. So it's a good example for us - a team like that who are not expected to be in the top six but through different years they have built a strong level with the ability to win trophies as well and to be really consistent. It will be a really interesting challenge for us. We need tough opponents to grow as a club and a team, so it’s positive."

TIL THE END...

"It's really positive to have this mindset but it's not easy to understand why or how! But at least the personality of the players, the consistency of the game model, the quality of the squad, the connection with our fans… we have many elements to explain this mentality of ‘Til The End’. If we can work like that, no matter the scenario or the circumstances, especially when a goal has been conceded, we keep pushing and we keep believing that it's possible to win. I think this is really positive for the squad."

EXPERIENCED LEADERS

"We have many players like that. Granit is our captain right now and I think he is like a symbol. From his level, his experience, his standards, it shows to everybody in the dressing room how to behave and how to be successful. His connection with the club and our fans is really natural."

PRE-SEASON AIMS

"I didn't have specific expectations because we are discovering a new league, so we don't know. We don't have to fix the limit before - is it up or down? I don't know. So let's work hard, try to win, and we'll see."

PLAYER RECRUITMENT, BOARD BACKING

"It is really important for a manager and for a club to feel that the words are connected with the facts. It was really the case. It wasn't an easy transfer window, the output I think was really positive but the amount of work done during this period was really impressive and so I’m really proud."

PREM CHALLENGES

"So far, it's difficult to say because it's still the beginning of the season. Probably in ten or fifteen games we'll have a better understanding of the problems in this league, so we need to wait, but we expect different issues. We know that in different squads we have the best of the best on the tactical side for example, and we have the best of the best for the players. They have gamechangers, one player can decide the output of the game. We know that and we expect that, it hasn’t happened so far but we know that it will happen and how we will react, we will see."

PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB

"I think the dimension, the power of history, the identity, the fanbase is really connected with this level. But, after that we have to deserve to be at that level on the pitch and I think that is our main point now."