It’s February and Sunderland are four points shy of 40 points. The safety of the Premier League will be guaranteed for months – a sensational case that rewrites history.

All three promoted teams have been relegated in the past two seasons and things are not entirely different this time around.

Second-bottom Burnley look doomed after 16 games without a win, while Leeds sit above the relegation zone – but their wariness is worrying.

Sunderland are going nowhere in the relegation battle – sitting in the top half of the table and dreaming of the Champions League. This team needs three late goals to reach the Championship play-offs, let alone the best league in the world.

So how did Regis Le Bris, who has now become a strong contender for head coach of the season, do it? Sunderland manager speaks exclusively sky sports On how he builds a team to stay in the Premier League…

‘The Rovers are on fire’ – why Sunderland defend so well

Part of Sunderland’s success this season has been at the back. At the beginning of the season, sky sports Statistics show that you have an 83% chance of staying ahead by conceding 60 goals or fewer.

Like their league position, Sunderland have overachieved here. They have conceded just 29 goals in 25 games – tied for sixth in the division. They have conceded fewer goals than both Liverpool and Manchester United so far this season.

Le Bris identified three key components of his team’s defensive stability this season: the goalkeeper, the centre-back and the number six – also known as the defensive midfielder. “I think the connection between our goalkeeper, our centre-backs, our number six is ​​really good now. That part of the game gives us control.”

It helps to have a top goalie Robin Roves – A player who ranks in the top two or three statistically in the division this season.

His ability to stop shots helps lower that number, but his ability to consistently find teammates with his passing record also stands out.

“He’s the key,” LeBrice said of his goaltender. “It’s fair to say that in an efficient team you need strong players on both sides. I think the goalkeeper and the centre-backs are very important to protect the goal.

“He’s young and doesn’t have a lot of experience. Normally you would say you need an experienced goalkeeper because the role is very demanding, even mentally.”

“So he’s done a really good job. When you give young players a chance, you’re going to be surprised. I think that’s part of our identity.”

Key defender shows “physical quality”

But all goalkeepers need protection – and strengthening the backline is a key part of their summer transfer policy.

Sunderland spent £183.4m in the summer transfer window, the most of any newly promoted team in the past five seasons. But most importantly, they spent the money wisely.

“It’s really efficient for recruiters,” LeBris said. “By Premier League standards you need to be physically strong.

“Teamwork is key. The way we defend together is also key. Because if you are too exposed and it’s difficult to score goals in this league, you can’t win games. So our defense is the key point.”

Around £25m of this was spent on two key defenders in the summer – Noddy Mukele and Omar AlderetSigning contracts worth £12 million each with Paris Saint-Germain and Getafe, their arrival is crucial to the team’s success.

“Both of these guys have that mentality and physical quality which is very important in this league,” the Sunderland boss said.

“When you defend a little deeper, you have to defend the paint really effectively. So they’re good in that part of the court. They’re also strong when we’re one-on-one.

“So those two parts of the defensive workflow are really important, and they’re very connected in that regard.”

But while Sunderland have invested heavily in a new goalkeeper and two new defenders, perhaps their most effective player at the back is Dan BallardAlthough there are many changes around him, he has always been a part of the defense.

The centre-back had a slow start under Le Bris and suffered a knee injury during last season’s pre-season, meaning he had to take his time during last season’s Championship promotion campaign.

Now, with a flawless pre-season, Ballard has shown exactly what he is capable of and why he was so highly regarded by Arsenal before leaving the club.

“I’m not sure he knows how powerful he is,” LeBris said of Ballard. “A lot of times he needs a little more belief and confidence because he’s doing such a good job and he’s a key part of our defense.”

Xhaka is a ‘beacon’ – why would it be a blow to be without him?

Then No. 6 comes in Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhakathey helped not only control the midfield, but also the entire energy of the team.

Both midfielders are among the top six in the Premier League for distance covered this season, providing Sunderland with an efficient backline of attacking danger players.

“They want to run!” LeBris said. “They are good footballers, they are versatile, they have a lot of good qualities. They have a good image, they work well together and they have a good connection with the team.”

“Everything is interconnected. If you have one weakness, it affects the whole dynamic.”

Of course, Xhaka’s experience of the high standards of European football is also an important addition to this Sunderland team. Le Bris calls his captain a “second coach” on the pitch – so what does that mean?

“I think it’s about ambition, understanding and calmness,” Le Bris said of Xhaka. “It’s not always impressive. It’s more about consistency – no matter the tournament, no matter the opponent.

“So we go away to Chelsea? If we believe it, we can win. We play at home against a team that is struggling at the top of the table? We have to win and be consistent. It’s about managing emotions, incidents and consistency.”

So with Xhaka currently sidelined with an ankle injury, this will have a huge impact. Le Bris highlighted the recent defeat to West Ham United, where Sunderland trailed 3-0 at half-time and exited the game, as an example of Xhaka’s role.

“I wasn’t happy at West Ham because after the first goal my energy was really low,” the Black Cats boss recalled.

“When the captain is absent, the support, the motivation is a little different. The reaction after the goal, we haven’t changed. We have the same mood, even a little bit lower.”

“It helps when you have a more experienced player on the pitch. Granit is like a beacon. You want to follow the light. Against West Ham, that might not be the case.”

How Brobbie needs time and patience after summer transfer

So Sunderland had a good defense but as Le Bris said: “That doesn’t mean you can score goals.”

“When you build your team, it’s about different levels. So our defensive fundamentals are strong and we’re good. The last third is the hardest part.”

This is an area where Sunderland clearly need to improve. They were very efficient in the first two phases of the game – the next step for LeBris is to increase the offensive efficiency.

At centre-forward, Sunderland tried different combinations. Eliezer Maydenda started the season in this role before Wilson Isidor came into his own.

But deadline to sign Brian Brobby Now comes the key focus on the front. His efficient forward finishing has made him one of the best shot converters in the top flight this season.

But like many new centre-forwards this season – such as Victor Chokeres and Benjamin Cescó – the summer signings will have to bide their time before getting up to speed in the Premier League.

“He’s a great example of developing new forwards,” said LeBrice of Brombie. “He struggled a little bit last season but he has a lot of potential.

“He started a little slow for different reasons. He’s also new to this league, so he needs to learn. He’s talented, he works hard, and after he got the opportunity, the support, the connection with his teammates, he showed his potential and quality. I hope this continues for a long time.”

“It’s about support, consistency and confidence. Riding the wave is so important.

“For a forward, even if you don’t perform well in one or two games, it’s not just: ‘Okay, now we change players, we’ll change players.'” They need consistency, they need support. “

“From our perspective, we want to build the profile of the club. We can’t buy a top-six or top-eight club. They can spend £60m on two or three wingers.

“That’s not possible for us. We believe we can start with a young player with potential. After that, they need opportunities, they need support, they need time.

“Sometimes it’s a little longer and you have to accept that because it’s not always a quick dynamic.”

Apart from Sunderland, they are enjoying themselves in the Premier League. There are some issues that need to be sorted out – not least away form, as they haven’t won away from home in the Premier League since beating Chelsea in October.

But at home, they are a different animal. They are the only team in the Premier League who have yet to be beaten at home. The Stadium of Light has taken points away from Arsenal and Manchester City this season, with Liverpool not far behind.

Follow live coverage of Sunderland vs Liverpool on Sky Sports’ digital platforms on Wednesday night, with kick-off at 8.15pm, and watch highlights for free immediately after full time…