“Second-season syndrome”? Bah.
Call it a coping mechanism or call it an aversion to the truth (“the truth”, in this case, is being peddled by the rent-a-soundbite doubters on radio and TV that seem to revel in the prospect of a red and white downfall), but I just don’t believe that a supernatural occurrence will cast its shadow over Sunderland’s 2026/2027 season, scuppering our chances of building on the achievement of 2025/2026 and dooming us to a season of struggle.
Yes, in certain circles, we’re
unpopular. We get it. The message is clear.
Rival fans dislike us maybe more than ever and are manifesting a red and white downfall with every tweet or piece of statistical analysis, seemingly enraged by what we achieved last season, the calibre of players we’ve been able to attract and the fact that Sunderland’s years in the wilderness are now being consigned to history as we enjoy every second of our return to the top flight.
Quite bizarre, and any case, the phrase itself hints at something beyond our control — which, frankly, is rubbish.
For all of the talk of how we’re in for a rude awakening, Sunderland should exercise a great deal of control over what happens next season, regardless of how daunting the prospect of juggling domestic and European commitments may seem. We worked hard to get into this position, after all, and we can’t lose our nerve after taking a peek behind the curtain and getting a glance at what lies beyond.
No, “second-season syndrome” isn’t the thing to be wary of next season, but we do need to ensure we aren’t hindered by complacency; basking for too long in the glory of participating in a previously-unentered competition and thereby losing focus.
Cast your mind back to the speeches delivered by Granit Xhaka and Régis Le Bris on the final day of last season — as well as Florent Ghisolfi’s post-season observations as he reflected on how the campaign panned out.
Were those the words of men for whom complacency is liable to creep in? Of figures thinking on a small-time basis and that would be content with a mediocre campaign? I really don’t think so.
Yes, 2025/2026 was memorable for everyone concerned but as Xhaka himself touched upon, it cannot be the end of the story in the shape of one glorious season in the sun followed by a slide into mediocrity with standards slipping. We’ve come too far, worked too hard and witnessed too many changes for that to happen.
Of course, it’s one thing to adopt a “no-complacency” mindset, but it’s another thing entirely to back it up with meaningful action, and that’s what we should look to Ghisolfi and company to do between now and the opening league game against Ipswich.
At the time of writing, Sunderland’s playing squad isn’t glaringly weaker than it was last season — and touch wood, it remains that way until the window closes — yet it’s not unfair to highlight that depth-wise, we’re not quite at the level that’ll enable us to challenge strongly on multiple fronts.
We need to find and recruit Dennis Cirkin’s replacement at left back — ideally a player of comparable ability to Reinildo — and we must attempt to source and sign the long-term replacement for Xhaka. In the wake of Eliezer Mayenda’s departure, another versatile and dynamic forward should be on the list, and we also need to address what’s currently a threadbare situation on the right wing.
Urgency and laser focus on strengthening the squad is one thing and panic is another. We shouldn’t be ceding ground to the latter but the former should most definitely be being put into practice.
To put it mildly, the transfer market for buying clubs is as volatile and frankly bizarre as it’s been for some time — perhaps influenced by the chaos and maneuvering a World Cup often brings about.
Will we end up “overpaying” for the kinds of difference-makers that could keep us in the upper reaches of the league? Perhaps, but that’s also a relative term and the fact that we don’t need a radical overhaul as much as we need to fine tune what we do have should work in their favour.
The clock is ticking.
Before we know it, the trip to Ipswich for the first league game will be upon us and we’ll be keenly awaiting the release of the first competitive starting eleven of 2026/2027. The fans will be ready, Le Bris will doubtless have a plan in mind, and it’s imperative that he has the resources at his disposal to ensure we get off to a positive start.
“They’ve earned our trust” is a phrase you often hear in relation to Sunderland’s recruitment team.
It’s hard to argue against that and the next couple of weeks will doubtless shed more light on just how eager they are to keep the furnaces stoked and to keep this big old red and white ship moving forward at pace. It’s all within their hands. Let’s hope they don’t squander the opportunity.
