If there was one quality which encapsulated Sunderland’s play-off campaign, it was undoubtedly the never-say-die fighting spirit which was epitomised by the ‘Til the end’ strapline.
From Eliezer Mayenda capitalising on Van Ewijk’s ill-judged backpass in the 88th minute in the away leg at Coventry, through Dan Ballard’s decisive header in the 122nd minute of the home game, to Mayenda’s late equaliser and Tommy Watson’s promotion-winning last-minute strike at Wembley, elevation to the Premier League
was achieved just as much by desire as it was by skill.
Luke O’Nien’s wild charge down the touchline, in sling and stockinged feet, to celebrate the goals was soon followed by the whole squad dancing in front of a jubilant Sunderland end. There was a genuinely wholesome togetherness, even though we all knew it would be the last time we would see local hero Watson and Jobe in our club’s colours.
As we walked away from Wembley, excitedly discussing the challenges that being back in our rightful place in the Premier League would bring, few could have foreseen the extensive recruitment campaign that Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman were plotting. When Florent Ghisolfi was added into the mix, it moved up into a whole different gear.
Some of the first arrivals – Diarra and Sadiki – still fitted the model of young players who were as much an investment in future value as they were ready additions to the squad. Then ‘the model’ began to evolve – experienced internationals were added to even more bright young prospects, the likes of Reinildo and Granit Xhaka joining alongside the promising Robin Roefs.
Reinildo had worked under the flamboyant and demonstrative Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid, Xhaka had just finished a season, alongside Nordi Mukiele at Bayer Leverkusen, under the charismatic Xabi Alonso, whose impressive leadership and coaching had landed him the coveted Real Madrid job.
How would players with a wealth of top-flight European and international experience adjust to working under a relatively unheralded coach? How easily could they embed themselves into an exceptionally young squad, which had achieved promotion, without disturbing the spirit of togetherness that had evolved on the route to Wembley?
The answer, so far, seems to be ‘seamlessly’. Kristjaan Speakman’s approach of recruiting players who have not only the talent, but the personality and temperament that ‘the model’ demands, is already producing a squad of players who demonstrably understand what it means to pull on the Sunderland shirt.
Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Xhaka, Mukiele, and Omar Alderete are already forging a strong bond with the adoring fans, enthusiastically joining in with the likes of Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda during the on-field post-match celebrations.
Much credit has to go to Régis Le Bris and his newly-expanded coaching staff. Last season’s heroes and the summer’s recruits have been quietly moulded into a single formidable unit. Le Bris has maintained his tactical methodology, built on a strong defence and hard-pressing work off the ball, allied to fast-paced breaking attacks, and has integrated his new players into it effortlessly.
With quality players at his disposal on the bench, he has made far greater use of substitutes than he did last season. Changes are being made earlier and more frequently than a year ago. Against both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, he made use of all five available substitutions.
Le Bris has a much larger squad of quality players available to him than last season. Indeed, with everyone fit and available, there will be a battle just to make the bench. The studious French coach clearly prefers a settled starting XI whenever possible. Yet so far, by keeping his bench involved, he is making a good fist of keeping the fringe players engaged and ready.
The fighting spirit that has brought us this far is now very evident in this incarnation of Sunderland. The performance at Burnley can now be firmly consigned to history as a blip. The demolition of West Ham, the late winner against Brentford, the gutsy manner in which the team went toe-to-toe with Crystal Palace, the resolve in adversity to eke out a result against Aston Villa, and the fight to earn the win at Nottingham Forest all demonstrate that, although the faces, nationalities, and shirt numbers may have changed, the fighting ‘Til the end’ spirit is just as evident this season as it was at Wembley, perhaps even more so.
Sunderland fans have always valued players as much for their work ethic and attitude as for their skill. The way Régis Le Bris has moulded the first two of those qualities is as much a reason why we currently sit 5th in the Premier League as the latter.
