Sunderland’s Resilience: Grit and Unity for Premier League Glory

After tapping into the knowledge of my Olympic swimming coach friend during the playoff run-up, we had another sporting chat regarding ‘resilience’. Much of my statements are based on studies and papers he provided.

Many of us will have been watching the Lionesses retain the trophy in Sunday’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final, and perhaps noticed that their tournament was defined by late goals, dramatic comebacks, and high-pressure penalties. While those instances have captured the headlines, one of the most

compelling narratives throughout the tournament has been the team’s resilience.

Does any of this ring a bell? ‘Till the end, etc.? Resilience is a term frequently used in football. It is often associated with last-minute equalisers or holding out at the back, defending for your life. Towards the end of last season, Sunderland often showed resilience, grit, and their ability to overcome adversity. This also extends to the management and staff.

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After all the ‘flicking a switch’ discussions, this does reflect a growing awareness of the role that psychological resilience plays in the game. However, while these accounts of resilience are compelling, there is a risk that the concept becomes overused and oversimplified. Resilience is not simply about grit or relentless persistence in the face of difficulty. Persisting without adaptation can actually be problematic. It is more than simply bouncing back from setbacks. True resilience involves flexible thinking and emotional awareness in the moment, and the ability to adjust both individually and collectively under pressure.

The ‘resilient moments’ that occur late in games only tell part of the story. Indeed, resilience is less about what happens at the end of the game and more about what happens during it.

It can be seen in how athletes respond to mistakes and maintain clarity under pressure. According to researchers and sport psychologists, athletes who demonstrate resilience are those who use their resources, such as confidence and focus, to function effectively even when circumstances are difficult. RLB has repeatedly highlighted this quality within our squad. But what does this actually ‘look like’ on the pitch?

Research at Nottingham Trent University suggests that resilience is reflected in specific behaviours. These include how players visibly manage their emotions after setbacks, how they communicate and support each other during difficult periods, and how they continue to learn and adapt during matches.

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Resilience is, therefore, not judged by the final score, but on how individuals and teams actually function in the face of challenges – something that can be observed in action.

Resilience is a collective process. It arises when a group is able to use their individual and combined resources to positively adapt together when under pressure. This requires shared leadership, a distinctive team identity and togetherness based on a selfless culture, and high-quality relationships which are often strengthened by collective experiences of adversity. So, it becomes evident that a good team spirit, supporting one another, listening to one another, is very important.

These are not accidental features of this Sunderland team, but the product of deliberate planning, checking a player’s character, and leadership. I think we’ve all become aware that RLB, Speakman and staff have become known for placing significant emphasis on building a cohesive and connected group, where attitude and commitment underpin performance.

Our adventure into the Premier League presents the club with another opportunity to demonstrate this genuine kind of resilience. However, their success will depend not only on learning from their past experiences, but on how they manage momentum shifts, recover emotionally from inevitable setbacks, and continue to operate as a focused unit. They will hope to avoid relying on last-minute heroics in matches. In reality, the most effective forms of resilience are often far less dramatic. They are typically seen in controlled responses and a consistent and unified effort.

Part of the challenge during this window, we might assume, has been to buy players, not just for their talent and how they fit into the team, but also in trying to continue to build on this collective resilience, without totally dismantling the good work to date.

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