With a play-off spot already guaranteed, and a top-two finish almost a mathematical impossibility, the Black Cats are in the unusual position of having nothing to play for in the final month of the regular Championship campaign.
Le Bris has used the last two games as an opportunity to rest some of his key players and rotate his squad, with his side picking up just one point from their games against Norwich and Swansea.
The Black Cats boss will make further changes for both Friday’s trip to Bristol City and the Easter Monday home game with Blackburn, and while he understands some supporters’ concerns about a loss of form ahead of the play-offs, he is adamant it is more important to ensure his key performers are in peak physical condition come the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.
“At this stage of the season, we have to be really proud of the team,” said Le Bris. “We have 76 points so far, and I think that shows that the team did very well.
“It’s a little bit of a strange period because we worked with a small group this season, because of many injuries, so now, to be competitive in the final part of the season, we need fresh bodies and fresh heads.
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“It is important to manage the squad, to rotate the players and to give opportunities to young players because that I think they deserve because they have done well. They need support through this period, but at the same time, for the others we have to manage their bodies to avoid rushing the process of their recovery. That is true of Jobe (Bellingham), Dan (Ballard) and Leo (Hjelde), and many players.
“The consequences are the results, and probably the output, because maybe the last two or three games we played were not as good as expected. But, at the same time, we are still fourth. The play-offs are secured, and it is another stage of the season.
“I can understand the reaction because the supporters always want to win, and that is fair, I have no problem with that. But at the same time, our main objective now is clearly the two games in the play-offs, and we have to be ready for these fixtures.”
Last season, Southampton rested a number of their key players in the final month of the season, losing three of their last four matches, a sequence that included a 5-0 thrashing at Leicester City. However, once their leading lights returned in the play-offs, they beat West Brom and Leeds to secure promotion.
Le Bris accepts losing matches is never ideal, but if there are to be more disappointments in the next four matches, he remains confident his players will be able to return to the peak of their powers once the play-offs begin.
“This season, I think this group has shown that they were able to react quickly after defeats,” said Le Bris. “So, I am not too worried about that. They showed they have many resources as a team and as individual players to react when it is necessary.
“It is more about avoiding injuries, providing the players with some freshness and managing the situation to be comfortable with previous injured players. There is no point rushing at this stage, when we can take our time for two or three games.”
