Watson has been something of a controversial figure since confirmation of his switch to Brighton at the end of the season, and the teenager was booed by some supporters before and during the recent home defeat to Swansea.
That led Le Bris to an Easter Monday pre-match plea to fans to be supportive of Watson, with the head coach saying “we need positive energy around the club”.
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Watson still got something of a mixed reaction after he was replaced in the 78th minute, but Le Bris was pleased with what he saw from the winger, who has now started four straight games in the Championship for the Black Cats.
He said: “For a footballer now, who wants to play at the best level, this situation is not unusual.
“We supported him, and we didn’t change anything really, just a small bit of feedback after the game (at Bristol City).
“It was then just a case of train, and try your best. I think the crowd was positive because he showed the right willingness and commitment in the game.
“Sometimes, you are not performing as you might want and you can make mistakes, but if your behaviour and your body language is positive, and you are fighting for the team, then you cannot blame the player.
“That was the case today. He could probably have produced one or more opportunities to score or make the final pass, but I thought it was positive.”
With Romaine Mundle not expected to be back fit until the play-offs, Watson could well keep his place for the final two games of the regular season, though Le Bris confirmed after the Blackburn defeat that he now plans to name his full strength XI after a spell of rotation.
He said: “Now, with two games to play and one per week, the situation will be different. It will be possible to start with our ‘main’ XI and I hope that we will find our rhythm, the right flow and dynamic.”
